ABVP begins 48-hour protest against Amnesty International

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad workers began their 48-hour protest seeking the arrest of Amnesty International representatives for organising the Broken Families event on August 13 where slogans were raised against the Indian Army.

Addressing a gathering at Anada Rao Circle on Saturday, Sachin Rathod, organising secretary, ABVP, Bengaluru Central, condemned the police for caning protesters. “The ABVP will resort to different forms of protests if AII representatives are not arrested,” he warned.

Vinay Bidri, national general secretary of ABVP, demanded an impartial probe into the incident. “ABVP will lodge complaint with the State Human Rights Commission against police atrocities. We will demand a thorough investigation as the police manhandled students and women,” he added.

S S Rajan, a retired colonel, Minority Commission members and members of the Forum of Integration and National Security participated in the protest. “The AII has sheltered people who raised slogans against the Indian Army. Retired armymen would be requested to attend the protest on Sunday. Nobody should forget the Indian Army’s contribution in rehabilitation of people displaced during the 2014 floods in Kashmir,” Rajan said.

KTVS PU College principal Srikanthaiah has lodged a complaint with Magadi Road police in connection with a protest on August 18. He said that a few unidentified men forced the college students to participate in the protest.  The police have registered a case for kidnap against unidentified protesters.

Meanwhile, the Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust has questioned the role of Amnesty International and its intent in conducting the programme at the United Theological College.

Minister’s office ransacked

More than 300 ABVP members ransacked the office of district in-charge minister H Y Meti in Bagalkot on Saturday, reports DHNS from Bagalkot. The protesters barged into his office , raising slogans against the state government. They smashed a photograph of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and damaged two chairs in the office.  

‘Guard against RSS mischief’

Congress leader B K Hariprasad on Saturday cautioned people about the “mischief being played by the RSS”.  “One does not become a patriot by wearing khaki shorts and wielding. We don’t need lessons on patriotism from the RSS and the ABVP ,” he said.

‘Students weaned away’

ABVP leaders were in for a shock due to the poor turnout for their protest at Anand Rao Circle. Around 60 students had gathered before the start of the protest. ABVP activists say some unknown persons had distributed tickets to students of a Kannada film released on Friday. R C College and Government Arts College students went to the show instead of attending the protest. Others did not turn up fearing
police action.