Karnataka - VHP, Bajrang Dal take out Shoba Yatra Procession: Anti-communal activists arrested

(The Hindu
Dec 03, 2006)

Karnataka - VHP, Bajrang Dal take out Shoba Yatra

Correspondent

Komu Souharda Vedike activists arrested in Chikmagalur

PROCESSION: VHP and Bajrang Dal activists taking out the Shoba Yatra in Chikmagalur on Saturday.

CHIKMAGALUR: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal organised a Shoba Yatra here on Saturday as a prelude to the Datta Jayanti celebrations, to be held in Bababudangiri on Monday.

The event is being conducted after a gap of two years as the district administration had banned it during 2004 and 2005.

The procession carrying an idol of Dattatreya started from the Kamadhenu Ganapathi temple in the afternoon and proceeded along the main streets of the town before concluding at the Bolarameshwara temple. Hundreds of devotees carrying saffron flags sang and danced along the route. Citizens of Chikmagalur lined up on both sides of the road to watch the procession and offer prayers to the deity.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made by the authorities to prevent untoward incidents.

Arrested

About 130 persons, including activists of the Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike, were arrested here on Saturday for defying ban orders under Section 35(3) of the Karnataka Police Act 1963. Those arrested include Gowri Lankesh and Sanath Belagali, journalists, K.L. Ashok, general secretary of the Vedike, and Nagari Babaiah.

Protests

Bangalore Staff Reporter writes:

Several organisations here on Saturday protested against the arrest of Komu Souharda Vedike members in Chikmagalur.

Organisations, including Karnataka Forum for Dignity, Samata Sainik Dal and Dalit Sangrasha Samiti demanded release of Gowri Lankesh, Nagari Babaiah and others, who were arrested when they were going on "Souharda Nadige," a peace march, to Bababudangiri, the protestors said.

They alleged that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was toeing the line of BJP for political compulsions.

Demonstration

Udupi Staff Correspondent reports:

The Udupi district unit of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike staged a protest demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's Office inUdupi on Saturday to protest against the arrest of activists of the Komu Souharda Vedike at Chikmagalur. on Saturday