Hindu activists protest against attack on Hindu shopkeeper for playing Hanuman Chalisa

BENGALURU: A tense atmosphere prevailed at Nagarthpet on Tuesday with traders and shop owners voluntarily closing their shops to condemn the assault on businessman Mukesh who was playing Hanuman Chalisa in his shop during azaan.

Several Hindu activists, including MPs Shobha Karandlaje and Tejasvi Surya were detained by the police on Tuesday for protesting against the attack on the Hindu youth and shopkeeper Mukesh in Nagarthpet on Sunday evening.

Many Hindu activists gathered in front of Mukesh’s shop today after a call given by Tejasvi Surya to hold a rally chanting Hanuman Chalisa in the entire Nagarathpet starting from Mukesh’s shop.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested five accused in connection with the assault on shop owner Mukesh, but they are not the attackers. Activists of Hindu organisations had gathered at the place today to hold a protest against the gang of the accused and extend support to Mukesh.

The police took Mukesh into custody when he was about to join the protest rally. The police did not allow him to take part in the rally saying that no protest was allowed as the election code of conduct is in force.

Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar also condemned the act.

Speaking to the media, Mukesh said, “This is not Bengaluru. It is happening here just as it happened in Kashmir in the past. We are being harassed here. If something serious had happened to me in the incident that happened on Sunday, who would have been answerable? It feels good that people have come here to support me”.

More than 500 protesters were part of the protest and the police had a tough time in controlling the situation.

Locals said that the police have not taken any action, although many complaints have been filed against the gang. “The police have not released the photos of those arrested so far. We are all here for the same reason, and demanding their arrest at the earliest. We will see how many people are arrested”, they said.