Security measures in Karnataka have been intensified in response to a protest organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the apprehension of an individual implicated in the 1992 riots after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. BJP supporters in Karnataka staged demonstrations on Wednesday to express their disapproval of the arrest of a 50-year-old individual named Poojary, connected to the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots, particularly in Hubbali, where the arrest took place on Monday.
In the aftermath of the protest, law enforcement authorities declared an augmentation of security arrangements not only in Hubbali but also in various parts of the state. Senior police officer Renuka Sukumar addressed the media, highlighting the extensive preparations made in and around the protest area. She noted the registration of approximately 13 cases related to offenses such as bootlegging and riots. Furthermore, she mentioned that, as of the present moment, there had been no formal communication regarding the planned protest.
The arrest of Poojary, occurring 31 years after the Babri Masjid demolition, was characterized by the Karnataka Police as a routine procedure, emphasizing that it was not carried out specifically in response to the long-pending case against him. The BJP, however, accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of unfairly targeting Hindu activists and framed the arrest as a "witch hunt against Hindus."
Prominent BJP figures, including DV Sadananda Gowda, criticized the arrest as a "politically motivated" maneuver, questioning the timing and expressing concerns about potential provocations ahead of the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Gowda raised doubts about the legality of closing cases, hinting at the perceived appeasement politics of the Siddaramaiah-led government.
Another BJP leader, CN Ashwath Narayan, echoed similar sentiments, accusing the state government of engaging in "appeasement politics" and emphasizing the need for a non-discriminatory and accountable approach.
In response, Congress leader BK Hariprasad countered the BJP's narrative, characterizing the protests as "politically motivated." He alleged that the demonstrators were attempting to replicate the Godhra train burning incident, which had led to the Gujarat riots in 2002. Hariprasad called for caution in Karnataka, emphasizing the importance of preventing untoward incidents and providing ample security, drawing parallels with the historical context of Godhra.
The Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished on December 6, 1992, by right-wing Hindu activists who believed the site to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, a significant deity in the Hindu religion.
