Growing Concern Over Persistent Moral Policing Incidents in Coastal K taka Districts

MANGALURU: Despite stern warnings from the state's top leaders, incidents of moral policing continue to persist in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, causing concern among activists and political figures.
Considering the frequent moral policing incidents in the coastal districts, Home Minister G Parameshwara who had held a meeting with the police officials in June wanted to put an end to this problem. As per his direction the ‘Anti Communal Wing’ was also formed in Mangaluru City limits.

Though the government wanted to send a strong message that vigilante activities would not be tolerated, the number of cases has not decreased. In fact, in the last 15 days, there have been several such incidents in DK and Udupi.

“To me, this looks like a challenge that the vigilante elements want to pose to the government. The Chief Minister, Home Minister, and district in-charge minister had declared that such incidents would not be tolerated. Thus the vigilante elements seem to have increased their activities to pose a challenge to the government,” says activist and member of PUCL B Suresh Bhat.

“Earlier no cases were being booked. However, now the cases are booked,” he added.

Congress leader and educationist MG Hegde has raised concern as he feels that the vigilante elements are not only forming their own rules but are also actively enforcing them.

“There is no law in our country that denies boys and girls from different communities from going together. But the Sangh Parivar has formed such a rule and is also effectively executing this. There seems to be a parallel law which is concerning,” Hegde told Deccan Chronicle.

“The number of moral policing is increased as Sangh Parivar is gearing up for the parliament election. The number of cases was less when BJP was in power as they were hesitant as it would bring a bad name to them. However, now they want to put the Congress government in a fix. If the government acts against such elements, they display Congress as anti-Hindu if the government is silent then they want to display it as the deterioration in law and order situation in the state,” he added.

He feels just forming an Anti-Communal Wing will not work to put an end to this problem.

“There should be a discussion and analysis which should be attended by BJP and SDPI leaders as they are answerable for this. Congress should attend as the party is in power. Other parties and organizations should also attend it,” he said.
CITU district general secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal feels a strong step to put an end to moral policing and communal incidents in the region.

“BJP and Sangh Parivar depend on such incidents for their existence. Just by forming an Anti Communal Wing, such things cannot be stopped. The government should take strict action from various angles,” he added.