The Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) stepped up pressure on the State government to arrest persons who shouted anti-India slogans at an event organised by Amnesty International at the United Theological College in Bengaluru. It organised protests across the State on Wednesday.
In Belagavi, students studying in various colleges in Tilakwadi and other parts of the city joined the protest at Basaveshwar Circle and formed a human chain.
The activists said the Bengaluru City Police registered a FIR only after the ABVP staged a strong protest. It was most unbecoming of the police to use “lathi charge” on the ABVP protesters in Bengaluru, they said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The activists also pointed out that close on the heels of Bengaluru event, there was an incident where a few students of S.S. Institute of Technology (SSIT) raised anti-India slogans in Tumakuru, the home district of Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
Also, in a release issued in the name of ABVP national general secretary Vinay Bidare, the ABVP expressed serious concern over the growing incidences where anti-India slogans were shouted. Yet, the State government was taking such serious developments lightly. The ABVP demanded action against the Theological College and a thorough probe into the event.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The roads in the central business district of Hubballi remained choked for over an hour on Wednesday as hundreds of students led by ABVP office-bearers protested for the second day seeking action against Amnesty International, India and United Theological College for allegedly indulging in ‘anti-national activity’. Students took out a protest march in Dharwad also and members of BJP Yuva Morcha too staged an agitation in Dharwad.
Like on Tuesday, hundreds of students, mainly girls, led by ABVP office-bearers took out protest marches from different directions in Hubballi on Wednesday and converged at Kittur Chennamma Circle, where they staged a demonstration and raised slogans.
They said that while the police had registered a case, they had not arrested any one so far. Instead they had tried to curb the peaceful protest by ABVP seeking action against the guilty. They demanded ban on Amnesty International, action against the management of Theological College and arrest of those persons who had raised slogans against the Indian Army and the arrest of representatives of Amnesty International, India.
In Dharwad, the members of BJP Yuva Morcha staged a demonstration in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad. They said that instead of acting against the guilty, the police had arrested some ABVP activists.
March in Mangaluru
Students from different colleges in Mangaluru, under the aegis of ABVP, staged a protest on Wednesday demanding action against Amnesty International and United Theological College. The students marched from Ambedkar Circle to Hamilton Circle where a meeting was held. Addressing the students, ABVP District Convenor Naveen said their only demand was a through probe on their complaint against Amnesty International and United Theological College for allowing an event of Kashmiri residents in which anti-India slogans were raised. Instead of inquiring into the complaint, the State government allowed police to chase away protesting ABVP activists in Bengaluru.
ABVP Mangaluru Taluk Convenor Sudhip Shetty said the State government has to be cautious of groups in Bengaluru that are speaking against the nation and the Army.
The students raised slogans against the government and insisted that Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha personally receive their memorandum. Around noon, Mr. Jagadeesha received the memorandum and said it will be forwarded to Governor Vajubhai Vala.
Protest in Kolar
Hundreds of students staged a protest in the town on Wednesday demanding action against Amensty International. Responding to a call given by ABVP, the students raised slogans in support of their demand. They also raised slogans against the State government and burnt tyres on the streets to vent their anger.