Public function in Car Street: Section 144 -prohibitory order for whom?

Mangalore Today News Network 2009-12-06 20:00:00

Mangalore, December 6: Despite prohibitory orders issued by DK District Administration, preventing all rallies, speeches, programs, and public meetings in Mangalore for three days from December 5 to 7, a public function has been organized by Hindu Jagarana Vedike at Temple Square, Car Street. This has come as a surprise to many as an open-air program of this kind could not have been arranged without the consent of the DK district administration. Huge police presence was indeed a surprise as spectators were silently watching the proceedings. 

 

Amith Singh, ASP was seen having a heated argument with Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader M.B. Puranik and Hindu Jagarana Vedike Sudhakar Joshi, when he took them to task for organizing a function in violation of Section 144 prohibitory orders. The organizers went ahead with the program against the approval of the ASP.

December 6 has always been a day of headaches to the government and the public after the Ayodhya Babri Masjid incident. Several organizations were planning to hold rallies, meetings, and programmes in the city to observe the anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid. While members of one community wanted to observe Dec 6 as a day of joy, members of another community wanted to observe it as a Black Day. Hence in order to preserve communal peace and harmony, prohibitory orders were passed. Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Prabhakar Sharma has said that Dakshina Kannada, and particularly Mangalore, is very susceptible to communal tensions. Therefore, prohibitory orders was necessary. Government programmes, however, are exempted.

Highly derogatory speeches were made by Prakash P Bhat, an RSS activist and Director of Hosa Digantha, M B Puranik, President Vishwa Hindu Parishath and Vasudeva Gowda, President, Hindu Jagrana Vedike. Sri. Yogananda Swami of Nithyananda Ashram was also present on the stage.

 

In view of this, the public function by Hindu Jagarana Vedike has raised eye brows regarding whether DK District Administration is serious about its own orders. Amith Singh, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, when contacted said that the function was ‘pre-fixed’, hence there was nothing he could do about it. This is indeed strange because though this function is being held in the vicinity of Sri Venkatramana Temple, it is not connected with none of the annual festivals or mandatory holy days of the temple. Furthermore it is learnt that neither the Car Street Temple Authorities or any temple related organization is involved with the function

“This is a ‘Pavithra Dina’ for all Hindus”. “It is a noble day for all us”. “We observe this day as a day of reverence”. “We are proud of what had happened in Ayodhya”. “December 6, 1992 was a day when lakhs of Hindus have come together to do what was necessary. We are ready any time any where to fight for Hinduthva”. “Today our youths are ever vigilant and ready to fight for the Hindu Culture”.

The caucus started around 5.30 PM and went on till 9 PM. Crackers were burst as a symbol of celebration of ‘Vijayotsava’ after the program.