On Thursday, the Karnataka BJP launched a campaign, ‘I’m also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too’ as it stepped up its protests in several parts of the state over the recent arrest of a Hindu activist in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation.
MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar staged a sit-in demonstration near the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru, amid chants of “Jai Sri Ram” by BJP workers. Holding a placard with a message ‘I’m also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too’, Kumar said he too took part in the Rama temple agitation in 1992, for which he should also be arrested. Later, he was taken into preventive custody by the police.
While BJP leaders K S Eshwarappa and C T Ravi lead the protests in the district headquarters town of Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru, respectively.
Srikanth Poojari , a Karsevak, was arrested by police in Hubballi last week in connection with a case of rioting registered in December 1992.
The BJP has accused the Congress government of being harsh on Hindus, and also indulging in minority appeasement. The Congress has charged the BJP with politicising the issue.
(With inputs from PTI)
