ABVP's college bundh was a contempt of court: Poojary

Mangalore, September 7: The call for college bundh over the 'coalgate' issue by activists of Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is an act of contempt of court, B Janardhana Poojary, Senior Congress leader said.

Addressing media persons at Press Club in Mangalore on Friday, Mr. Poojary said that bundh calls are not in accordance with law. “It is the Supreme Court directive that bundhs should not be held. The action of ABVP activists calling for a college bundh is an act of contempt of court”, Mr. Poojary said.

When questioned as to what he has to say to the college bundhs called by Congress backed student union and student unions of other political parties concerning the homestay attack recently, Mr. Poojary said that he condemns the bundh call given by Congress back student union as well.

'Bellare girl victim valued the court order'

Citing the recent incident of a girl who was manhandled by ABVP activists in a college in Bellare, Sullia, Mr. Poojary said he congratulates the girl for the stand she took. “By refusing to oblige to their bundh call, the girl was exercising her fundamental right. Besides, she valued the order of the Supreme Court. I congratulate her for the stand that she took”, he said.

Referring to the case and counter case booked in the concerned issue, Mr. Poojary said that the BJP has always used it as a 'tactic'. “The ABVP is an organ of the Sangh Parivar and the student wing of the BJP. Slapping false counter cases to change the direction of the issue is a tactic that has for long been used by the BJP in several such instances. Yesterday, the cabinet has decided to take back 8 cases against the ABVP. The police department also dances to the tunes of the BJP. If the government is honest, it must take action against the culprits who were behind the manhandling of the girl in Bellare”, he said.

Manmohan Singh is not a silent PM

Responding queries on the 'coalgate' issue, Mr. Poojary said that it is wrong to say that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is being silent on the issue. “The Prime Minister is ready to answer all allegations in the Parliament but the BJP is not allowing the Parliament to function. They are doing it because they know that if discussion is facilitated, the role of their ruled state governments in the issue would be exposed. It is wrong to ask the Prime Minister to resign without giving him a chance to explain himself. If Kasab can be given an opportunity to explain himself, the Prime Minister deserves to be heard more”, he said.

Mr. Poojary also defended the action of the PMO of not responding to allegations being leveled against the Prime Minister in the international media saying that they don't need to.