'Bomb Blast, Pakistani Slogans, Now This...': Protest in Karnataka Over Hanuman Chalisa Assault Case, BJP's Tejaswi Surya Detained

Massive tension prevailed in Karnataka’s Bengaluru on Tuesday after several BJP leaders, including MP Tejasvi Surya, staged a demonstration in protest against the physical assault on a shopkeeper by a group of youths for allegedly playing ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ over a loudspeaker in his shop during Azaan.

Bengaluru South MP Surya was also detained shortly after he participated in the agitation, which led to sloganeering by the BJP leaders. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar were also taken into preventive custody by police.

The BJP had called for a peaceful procession from the shop of the victim, Mukesh, with chanting of ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ by the participants. A day back, Surya gave the Siddaramaiah government an ultimatum to arrest all the accused in the case by noon.

Tejashwi Surya on Assault on Shopkeeper Over Hanuman Chalisa

Speaking about the incident, Surya, said the Congress government is failing to implement law and order in the state and then boasting about making a ‘Brand Bengaluru.’

“The government speaks of building brand Bengaluru. I want to ask the CM and the Deputy CM. You speak of building a brand Bengaluru. How can you do so with this kind of a law and order situation? What happened to Mukesh yesterday could happen to any person sitting and going to his business honestly in a calm, unprovoked manner anywhere in the city,” he asked the government.

On the rising anti-Hindu and anti-India sentiments in Karnataka, Surya also noted that recently a bomb blast occurred in the city and before that pro-Pakistani slogans were also raised.

“Two weeks ago there was a bomb blast. A week before that there were Pakistan Zindabad slogans. And today you have these unprovoked attacks on shopkeepers. What message is this government trying to give? Why is it that whenever the Congress party comes to power, elements like these who want to create disturbance and disharmony in society, why do they feel emboldened? And why is it that cabinet ministers like Dinesh Gundu Rao come in the defense of the accused and do not stand up for the victim’s justice?” the MP further added.

Protests Erupt in Bengaluru

A video of the incident, which was being shared widely on social media, triggered outrage among the public and protestors gathered in the city’s Siddanna Layout area – where the incident took place on Sunday – to stage a

Protestors waved saffron flags and raised “Jai Shree Ram” slogans. Some activists also shouted slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai,’ ‘Beke Beku Nyaya Beku,’ ‘Modi, Modi’ and so on.

Hanuman Chalisa Controversy in Bengaluru: Police Investigates

The Bengaluru police have begun an investigation into the incident and said that the men assaulted the shopkeeper over Hanuman Chalisa.

“An altercation occurred between a group of people and a shopkeeper last evening during ‘Azaan’ time when a shopkeeper played a song loudly near Siddanna Layout, in Bengaluru. A few Muslim youths questioned him, and an argument ensued, leading to them hitting the shopkeeper. An FIR has been registered at Halasuru Gate Police Limit, and the police are working to arrest the accused,” ANI quoted police as saying.

While the FIR made no mention of Hanuman Chalisa, Mukesh told reporters that the suspects raised objections over his playing the Hanuman Chalisa.

Police said five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, including two on Tuesday.