Bajrang Dal workers ‘threaten’ Mithun Rai

The video of Bajrang Dal activists allegedly issuing death threat and abusing District Youth Congress President Mithun M Rai, who had contested as Congress-JD(S) candidate from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, during Vijayotsava celebrations has gone viral on social media.

Bajrang Dal activists were celebrating the victory of BJP candidate Nalin Kumar Kateel at Badakabail Junction in Bantwal on May 23.

During the Vijayotsava, an activist holding Bajrang Dal flag and wearing a saffron scarf on the head issued death threat to Mithun Rai.

In the video, the youth declares in Tulu, “If Mithun Rai dares to trouble Bajrang Dal, then we will break his leg and hand. If needed, we will chop his head also...” The activists who were with him are also seen threatening Rai.

Reacting to the video, Mithun Rai said, “Those wishing to chop my head can come to District Congress Committee office. My fight against such organisations inciting communal hatredness in the district will continue. If chopping my head will help in restoration of peace and harmony in the district, then let them do so. I am ready to sacrifice my life. I am not scared and will not run away. I will be in Congress office.”

He said the Congress workers would file complaints against the video in all the taluks. “I will file a complaint to superintendent of police,” he added.

In the meantime, the police had booked a suo motu case under CrPC 108 as a precautionary measure. Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police B M Lakshmi Prasad said, “The police are attempting to identify youth from the video that was circulated on social media.”

Three detained

Meanwhile, Bantwal police detained three youth-Nishanth (23), a resident of Kidepadpu in Ammunje, Sachin and Karthik for interrogation. The police had booked case under sections 143, 144, 504, 506, 505 (1) (C), 153 (A), 149 of IPC. The investigation is in progress, sources in police said.