Poor response to VHP’s bandh call in K’taka over Tipu controversy
THE RSS HAD CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE ON FRIDAY AND A TOTAL SHUTDOWN IN SEVEN DISTRICTS
The shutdown call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday to pressure the Siddaramaiah government against celebrating Tipu Jayanti turned into a damp squib even as an uncertain peace returned to Madikeri and Dakshina Kannada.
The RSS had called for a boycott of government offices across the state on Friday and a total shutdown in seven districts - Mandya, Kolar, Tumkur, Gadag, Chikmagalur, Haveri and Dakshina Kannada. It also demanded a judicial probe into the death of VHP activist DS Kuttappa in the November 10 riots in Madikeri and a compensation of ` 25 lakh for his family.
The district administration in Dakshina Kannada thwarted these plans by imposing a curfew until Sunday. In the other six districts, there were only minor disruptions as Sangh activists symbolically blocked major thoroughfares and highways for an hour on Friday.
The biggest protest was held in Bengaluru where Sangh activists threw traffic out of by blocking the road to Mysore. The protest was marked by inflammatory speeches and slogans by VHP and Bajrang Dal activists.
“The time for protests like this is past. We must teach Muslims a lesson,” said Bajrang Dal state president Suryanarayana, even as the police looked on.
Meanwhile, home minister G Parameshwara ruled out discontinuing the annual Tipu Jayanti celebrations of the government. He said that “there is no question of reconsidering the state festival” and that, in the eyes of the government, Tipu was a great warrior and a freedom fighter.