'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too': BJP launches campaign against Cong in Karnataka over Hindu activist's arrest

BJP leader Sunil Kumar led protests in Bengaluru and held a placard that read “I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too”.

Published on: Jan 4, 2024, 15:57:31 IST

By Yamini C S

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As the controversy over the arrest of a Karsevak from Hubballi raged on in the southern state of Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) state unit launched a campaign against the ruling Congress, called “I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too”.

The Hindu activist, Srikanth Poojari, was arrested on Monday for his alleged involvement in the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots in 1992. (ANI) (HT_PRINT)

The Hindu activist, Srikanth Poojari, was arrested on Monday for his alleged involvement in the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots in 1992. As the arrest came less than three weeks before the much anticipated grand opening of the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya, saffron groups held protests and hit out at the Siddaramaiah-led government.

READ | Situation in state such that one is sent to jail for chanting 'Jai Sri Ram': Karnataka LoP

BJP state president BY Vijayendra said it clearly showed the state government's intent behind reopening a three decade old case just days before the consecration of the Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh.

In this light, the BJP staged a demonstration near the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru and raised slogans including “Jai Sri Ram”. V Sunil Kumar, BJP leader and former minister held a placard that read “I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too”. He reportedly told media that he too had taken part in the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation that ensued after the Babri Mosque demolition, and that he should also be arrested.

READ | Amid kar sevak arrest row, BJP shares video of Siddaramaiah refusing to enter temple

"The campaign 'I'm also a Karsevak, Arrest Me Too' has been launched to condemn the "anti-Ram and anti-Hindu policies" of the Congress government. Thousands of people from Karnataka participated in the 1990 and 1992 Kar Seva in Ayodhya despite the threats of the government of that time. The Congress in Karnataka has resorted to a strategy of intimidating Karsevaks, and Ram devotees," Kumar said.

READ | Karnataka: BJP leader Yatnal demands arrest of Cong MLC Hariprasad for 'possibility of Godhra-like incident' remark

“(Poojari) is being portrayed as a criminal but the Mangaluru cooker bomb accused is called as innocent. Congress leaders are writing letters to the government to set free the accused persons of KJ Halli and DJ Halli riot cases,” He accused.

Police officials later took Kumar into preventive custody, news agency PTI reported. The BJP also held protests in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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