(Representative image)
Mangaluru: Rejecting the allegations made by Sangh Parivar and pro-Sangh Parivar media that pro-Pakistan slogans were raised during a rally in Shivamogga as a ‘pack of lies’, the Popular Front of India has demanded a thorough probe into the violence that caused widespread damages.
In a press statement issued here, the PFI held Sangh Parivar fully responsible for the communal violence that erupted in Shivamogga on Thursday during a unity march organized by the PFI.
The release stated that even though the PFI had decided to organize unity march on February 17 in Shivamogga, later it was decided to postpone to February 19 as mark of respect towards Hindus, who were celebrating Mahashivaratri on February 17.
It said that a group of miscreants attacked and assaulted PFI activists during the peaceful rally. Several PFI cadres were brutally assaulted and injured. In the violence that ensued, several shops and vehicles were also torched by the mob.
It further states that few communal forces unable to stand the empowerment of minorities, Dalits and other oppressed classes in the country, were trying to taint the name of the organisation since a long time.
The recent Nandita suicide case in Thirthahalli is proof that these communal forces are trying to spark communal violence in several parts of Karnataka as a means of attempting to destabilize the Congress government in the state. Having failed at this, these forces are repeatedly targeting minorities and minority organisations, states the release.
The PFI has also demanded a separate investigation into the murder of Vishwanath (32) on the outskirts of city of Shivamogga in the aftermath of the clash.
It said that stringent action should be taken against the culprits who made a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace in the society by carrying out an attack on PFI rally.
(Agencies)
