Anti-nationals' on loose? Belagavi BJP plans protest

Belagavi: The BJP leaders here are preparing to take out a rally in Belagavi city on December 17 to protest the "anti-national activities" of some local leaders and the failure of the state government to rein them in.

Several pro-Hindu organisations have come out in support of the rally to oppose the state government's "appeasement" of a section of society despite its anti-national activities in Belagavi.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Member of Parliament, Suresh Angadi said Sunday's rally would be peaceful. But he wanted to know why the  state government and the police were taking no action against those raising pro-Pakistan slogans and  flags during a recent event in Belagavi and claimed that some  local Congress party leaders and legislators actually supported such elements. 

"The government should remove the anti-national flags hoisted in the city and take action against those responsible," he demanded.

Mr Angadi also hit out at the Siddaramaiah administration for its failure to handle the case of Hindu activist, Paresh Mesta's "murder" in Honnavar recently and claimed the police had  deliberately delayed announcing his death. "The announcement was made only after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was incidentally touring Uttara Kannada district at the time, left the area," he alleged.

As for the case now being handed over to the CBI for investigation, he said,
 "Although several cases from the state have been handed over to the CBI in  recent years, investigation into most of them has remained incomplete due to the government's reluctance to cooperate with the Central agency. It is important for the state government to assist the Centre in such cases,'' Mr Angadi argued.