JOIN USBJP, ABVP meet Governor over Amnesty case
The ABVP and the BJP on Monday submitted separate memorandums to Governor Vajubhai Vala seeking his intervention in referring the Amnesty International India (AII) case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The ABVP leaders submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Rajnth Singh through the governor’s office. “The state government is taking personal interest in the matter. Home Minister G Parameshwara and Law Minister T B Jayachandra are planning to close the case against the AII. Hence, the Union government should intervene and order a probe by the NIA,” Vinay Bidre, ABVP National General Secretary said.
The delegation of BJP leaders led by party state president B S Yeddyurappa met Vala and submitted a memorandum that police have not arrested anyone despite having proof against those who shouted anti-national slogans at a programme organised by AII on August 13 at the United Theological College (UTC) on Millers Road.
The BJP charged that investigation of the case appeared to be influenced by politicians. “Amnesty International being an international organisation has its offices in New Delhi, Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru. The Karnataka police may not be able to investigate the case efficiently as it goes beyond the state boundaries,” the memorandum stated.
It also criticised the police action against ABVP members who were protesting against AII. The ABVP also demanded a ban on the AII and action against the UTC for supporting the AII’s activities.
Protest
The ABVP workers held a meeting at Maurya Circle around 11 am before taking out a procession to the Raj Bhavan. When the police stopped them near Freedom Park, the protesters blocked the road and staged a demonstration. Senior police officers told them that 10 ABVP workers would be allowed to visit the Raj Bhavan to submit the memorandum. The protesters moved out of the road after the assurance.
Meanwhile, the BJP Yuva Morcha workers staged a protest in front of the Halasuru police station seeking action against DCP (East) N Satheesh Kumar for the lathicharge against the ABVP workers in front of AII’s office in Indiranagar on August 19. The BJP workers raised slogans against Satheesh Kumar and sought his suspension. They warned of intensifying the protest if action was not taken against the DCP by August 24. BJP MLC Ashwath Narayan rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters. He said that senior police officers had heard the ABVP’s plea. The officers had admitted that the DCP’s action was wrong, he added.
DSS backs AII
The Dalit Sangharsh Samithi (DSS) leaders justified the Broken Families event that was organised by the AII. “The AII had organised an interaction programme in which youths from Kashmir participated.
“The ABVP workers are projecting these youths as anti-nationals and misleading the public,” Dalit Sangharsh Samithi Students’ Union State Secretary Rajagopal said at a press meet.
“The DSS seeks a thorough probe into the incident.
“Raising slogans against the Army doesn’t amount to sedition. The DSS will organise a state-wide campaign against the ABVP’s hidden agenda,” he said.