Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Friday said the state government was taking steps towards banning SDPI, following its “direct involvement” in the recent violence in the city, and all the required information is being collected in this connection.
When asked about the outfit’s alleged involvement in the recent Bengaluru violence, Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa said, “SDPI is a silly organisation. We are thinking of banning it.”
Police officials confirmed that 147 youth were arrested following the violence, of which 10 of the main accused, including Muzammil Pasha, belonged to the SDPI. While Naveen has been charged under two sections of the Indian Penal Code (Sections 153 [A] and 253 [A]), the rioters have been charged under seven sections of the IPC including Section 307 (Attempt to Murder).
Elyas Muhammad Thumbe, State president of the SDPI, has refuted the allegations against the organisation.
Noting that the Bengaluru violence was not communal riots, Ashoka said it was not communal violence between communities, but it was a ‘pre-planned act’.
“This incident is the result of infighting between Congress MLAs and local corporators, also Congress and SDPI… a person had contested from SDPI for corporate post and had faced defeat,” he claimed.
