Bengaluru News: Tuesday saw protests in Bengaluru following an argument on Sunday during ‘Azaan’ between a group of people and a merchant. When a storekeeper started playing religious music close to Siddanna Layout on March 17, emotions erupted and protests followed. Azaan is a mosque call to prayer that is often heard five times a day.
Tejasvi Surya Leads Demonstration in Bengaluru
The demonstration in Bengaluru on Tuesday was attended by Tejasvi Surya, a BJP MP, in response to the dispute over playing devotional songs during the ‘Azaan’ period close to Siddanna Layout. Tejasvi Surya was then taken into custody by the police. Tejasvi Surya pleaded with the demonstrators to return as he was being carried away by the police, saying, “Sab chale jao.”
Tejasvi Surya, a BJP MP, has accused the ruling Congress administration in Karnataka of engaging in “appeasement politics” following the beating of a shopkeeper in Bengaluru by a group of men for reportedly playing loud music during the Islamic call to prayer, or azaan.
Tejasvi Surya Threatens Bandh Over Assault
On Monday, Tejasvi Surya spoke with Mukesh, the store owner, and stated, “By tomorrow, if the other three accused aren’t arrested, the BJP will call for a bandh in Nagarathpete and will protest outside the shop.”
In a post on X, the Bangalore South MP said, “A Hindu shopkeeper who was playing bhajans at his shop was assaulted by anti-social elements saying bhajans aren’t allowed during time of ‘azaan’.”
“The emboldening of such elements is a direct result of Congress’s appeasement politics. Just a few days back, people who shouted Pakistan Zindabad were given bail,” he added.
Tejasvi Surya’s Strong Words
Surya pointed his rifle at the Karnataka Congress government. He said, “With such political backing available to Jihadis, naturally such incidents of crime against Hindus have risen in our State.” “CM must stop setting wrong precedents. I call upon him to update the State on what action is initiated against the miscreants on this case,” he added.
Assault on Shopkeeper Mukesh
A few guys allegedly attacked Mukesh, the shopkeeper, on March 17 for playing loud music during the hour of evening prayers. According to Mukesh’s police complaint, a few men approached him in his shop and ordered him to cease playing music since it was time for azaan.
They beat him when he refused. Mukesh subsequently stated that the men were against him using the loudspeaker to perform Hanuman Chalisa. But according to the police, Hanuman Chalisa is not included in his complaint.
Arrests Made
The names of Suleman, Shahnawaz, Rohith, Dyanish, and Taruna were given to the five defendants. Three suspects were taken into custody by the police based on the shop’s CCTV footage. Two of them are Muslims, and the other one is Hindu. In addition, three more people are escaping. Investigations are still being conducted further.