|

January 31, 2013

Karnataka's Right Wing Moral Police: Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini raid a coffee house in Mangalore

From: Tehelka

 Right-wing fringe groups play moral police in Mangalore again

Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini have been accused of raiding a coffee house in Mangalore and manhandling the patrons

Seven youths were handed over to the police by Bajrang Dal activists on Wednesday. Photo: Tehelka Photo

Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini (a right wing women’s organization), have been accused of raiding a coffee house cum ice cream parlor, Rock Café, in Mangalore and manhandling the girls and boys present there for smoking. The Mangalore police claim that it was a minor incident and the situation has been defused.
The above incident was reported on Wednesday January 30th, between 5 to 5.30 pm near Pandeshwara police station limits in Mangalore, where around 7 youths (3 boys and 4 girls) were smoking in the Rock Cafe. According to the Sub Inspector of Pandeshwara Polie station, Poovappa, around 10 to 12 activists of Durga Vahini landed at the parlor and objected to the smoking. When the boys and girls refused to obey their diktat a minor scuffle broke out between them. “However, we were quick to react and diffused the situation” informs Poovappa.
The Mangalore police have not registered any case nor have they made any efforts to arrest any of the activists. The police claim that since no victims came forward to lodge any complaint, they didn’t feel it necessary.
“We got the information that immoral activities are happening inside an ice-cream parlour in Attavar. We also had information that the youth were having drugs inside. It just seemed like an ice-cream parlor, but inside it was very dingy, and boys and girls were smoking. We handed them over to the police,” said Shivanand, a Bajrang Dal member speaking to TEHELKA. He confirmed that the raid was carried out by the Bajrang Dal as well as Durga Vahini, the women’s organization affiliated with the Dal.
While Mangalore is infamous for right wing organizations raiding pubs and attacking girls and boys; probably this is the first time a coffee shop was raided by right wing activists for smoking.  The last time Mangalore hit headlines was on July 29, 2012 when 40 activists of the Bajrang Dal had mercilessly beaten up young women and men during a birthday bash.
Even after repeated efforts, none of the victims were available for comment.
(With inputs from G Vishnu)