The city police on Sunday foiled a beef-eating festival organised here to protest against the public flogging of Dalits in Una, Gujarat.
A strong police contingent was deployed at Town Hall, the proposed venue of the beef-eating festival that was to be held by the Dalit Welfare Trust and other organisations.
When an autorickshaw carrying the beef dish reached the venue, the police seized the vehicle and took the two persons inside into preventive custody. They were released later.
“The police denied us permission to hold the beef-eating protest citing a threat to the law and order situation. We relented as we did not want to create trouble,” said K. Shivaram, president of the Karnataka State Backward Classes’ Federation, who was present at the venue.
Members and supporters of the trust and other progressive organisations were prevented from entering the Town Hall premises with beef. They were all frisked by the police.
However, they went on to hold a demonstration near the statue of B.R. Ambedkar on the Town Hall premises.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shivaram welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement condemning gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) and describing them as anti-social elements.
