Hindu activists condemn killings of fellow workers

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Monday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government should own the responsibility of clashes that might erupt in the coastal region in future.

Addressing right wing activists, who were staging a protest condemning the recent incidents of murder and attack on pro-Hindu activists organised under the banner of Hindu Hitarakshana Samiti in front of the DC’s office here, Kateel said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G Parameshwara and Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B Ramanath Rai will be held responsible for further consequences.

Kateel, who launched a tirade against Siddaramaiah, accused him of practising double standards for having scant concern towards the death of Hindu activists. The chief minister is showering goodies on other communities, he claimed.

Referring to the case of a suspected cattle smuggler who was shot down in Sringeri, Kateel said he was a history-sheeter. But the government distributed compensation to the next of his kin. The dependents of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) district secretary Kuttappa, who lost his life during the clash over Tipu Jayanthi in 2015, Prashanth Poojary and Rudresh who were murdered are yet to receive any relief, he criticised.

In the last one year, eight activists have been murdered, including two in Ullal alone. Yet there is no  adequate action from the government due to the blessings of the chief minister, Kateel charged.

He said he would raise the issue in Lok Sabha and also exert pressure on the Centre to take action in this regard, if the state government fails to do so.

VHP leader M B Puranik said people are specially being trained in neighbouring Kerala state to behead rivals.

VHP organising secretary Gopal G, regional convener of Hindu Jagaran Vedike Radhakrishna, former MLC Monappa Bhandary, former Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat and others were present.