Bengaluru: Swaraj Abhiyan organized a press conference today at 1:30 PM at the Press Club of Bangalore about the Communal tensions in Bhoopasandra, Bengaluru.

Press Conference was addressed by: Manohar Elavarthi, State Coordination Committee Member, Swaraj Abhiyan-Karnataka, Kaleemulla R, Member, APCR – Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Momin Khan, Bhoopasandra resident and T. Venkatesh, Bhoopasandra resident

Mr. Manohar said “Mr. Baddi Venkatesh of RSS-Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh is spreading communal hate against Muslim community in Bhoopasandra leading to communal tensions in the area. Hindu fundamentalists like him are spreading hate against Muslims and dalits. He should be prevented from entering the area.

Sanjay Nagar Police is acting as a communal and anti-Muslim force. What we need is a secular police force that implements rule of law without discriminating against any community. Immediate action should be taken against communal actions of the police”

Mr. Momin Khan said “Muslims and Hindus are living peacefully together for more than 4 decades in Bhoopasandra. Mr. Baddi Venkatesh, a money lender exploiting poor people with very high rates of interest has got involved in the management of Hanuman temple 4 years ago. He is misleading children and regularly teaching them hatred against Muslim community. He doesn’t belong to our area. Why is he allowed to bring anti-social elements to disturb peace in Bhoopasadra?”

Mr. T. Venkatesh said “My family was taking care of the functioning of the Hanuman temple for over 30 years. The land for the temple was donated by the Muslim community. Muslims helped us in building the temple. Muslims were part of all our festival celebrations including Ganesh festival.

Mr. Baddi Venkatesh is a selfish-outsider trying to benefit by dividing people based on religion and caste. He is the primary reason for removing the Anaganwwadi centre, which was serving the poorest kids of both Hindu and Muslim families out of the temple premises. The temple management should be transferred back into the hands of people who care for people and support communal harmony”

Mr. Kaleemullah R. said “Sanjay Nagar police are supporting illegal actions of Baddi Venkatesh. They never act against offenses committed by Baddai Venkatesh and his goonda associates. They should arrest him and his associates for spreading hatred between communities”

Speakers spoke about their plans to conduct a series of communal harmony programs to strengthen bonds of friendship between different communities in Bhoopasandra.