The Swabhimani Vokkaliga Sene has called for Mandya bandh on April 16, saying that Hindu women were being lured by Muslim men on the pretext of love and convinced for marriage as part of ‘love jihad’.
The bandh call comes ahead of the marriage of the marriage of city girl Ashitha with her friend Shakeel in Mysuru on April 17.
In a press release, the Sene has threatened to disrupt vehicular traffic on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway for 15 minutes on April 16.
On April 15, a motorbike rally will be taken out in the city. The Sene said that the Congress government in the State was trying to create fear by directing the police to lodge complaints against leaders of Hindu organisations.
“The Congress indulged in vote bank politics by introducing Shaadi Bhagya (monetary aid for marriage) for Muslims. Why has it not introduced such schemes for the poor belonging to other communities?” the press release says.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar Reddy said that the police would not permit any organisation to give a bandh call. Stern action would be taken against those who forcibly down the shutters of shops and business establishments on April 16, he warned.
Ashitha has again clarified that hers was not a ‘love jihad’ wedding.
She told Deccan Herald on Thursday, “I was celebrating Hindu festivals in my parents’ home and will celebrate Muslim festivals after the marriage, as per the customs of my husband’s family.”
Ashitha confirmed that her new name Shayistha Sulthan had been printed in the wedding cards. She said neither she nor her family had any objection to it.
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