Hindu activist booked for provocative speech

The Dakshina Kannada police have arrested a Hindu activist on the charge of delivering a provocative speech during a Sri Krishna Janmashtami at Kadambu in Vittal police station jurisdiction on September 9.

The suspect is Manjunath Udupa alias Pushparanga Bhat, 32, secretary of Hindu Aikyavedhi, Kasargod in Kerala, said SP Ravikanthe Gowda.

As a chief guest of the programme, Manjunath had delivered the provocative speech and had targeted other religions. The police had charged organisers for using loudspeakers without obtaining permission.

A complaint was registered against Manjunath, the organiser, Chethan Padimale, the anchor Bhaskar Tailor and those on the dais Suresh Kottary, Varadaraj Kottary, B K Krishnappa Salian and Ramesh Poojary.

The SP said that suspects were absconding since the incident. Except for Manjunatha and Krishnappa, others had obtained the bail from the ACJ and JMFC court in Bantwal on September 11.

The police carried out a search for Manjunath at various places in Kasargod, but could not trace him.

Manjunath, the prime suspect was working as the supervisor of Kaniyoor Mutt wing in Gadigudde in Kasargod.

He was also a close associate of Kasargod BJP leader Raveesh Tantri.

The SP said Manjunath is already facing charges of kidnap in a separate case at Adoor station in Kasargod.

The police took him into custody after he appeared before the police obtaining the bail from the ACJ and JMFC court.