2 women attacked for having Muslim friends

BENGALURU: Two women were allegedly beaten up by a group of men, allegedly belonging to a Hindu right-wing organisation, for going with Muslim boys to a zoo in Mangaluru on Tuesday, police said.

Police arrested three persons — Sampath Shetty, Varada and Dinesh — for the assault, which was captured on a mobile camera by an onlooker. A video of the alleged assault went viral and triggered outrage.

The video shows one of the women, who study in a local college, being assaulted even after a police constable intervened.

Karnataka home minister Ramalinga Reddy said police had taken prompt action. He said there was a substantial reduction in vigilantism in the Dakshina Kannada district.

“I have directed police to take strict action against the vigilante groups. Action would be taken against policemen in case of dereliction of duty,” Reddy told reporters.

Hanumantharaya, deputy commissioner of police (law and order), said the three persons arrested were members of Hindu Jagarana Vedike. “Others might have been involved.” Hanumantharaya said it was not yet known how the activists got information about the youngsters meeting.

Police said the women, a Hindu and a Christian, had gone with their Muslim friends to the zoo to celebrate a birthday when they were assaulted around 11am.

Mangaluru is no stranger to incidents of moral policing. In 2009, Sri Rama Sene, a right-wing group, activists attacked women visiting a pub. In 2012, Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists attacked 12 people celebrating at a resort in the city.