Mangaluru police meet Muslim community, religious leaders to prevent flare-up

MANGALURU: The communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district has remained relatively calm in the aftermath of the Nupur Sharma controversy, despite attempts to stoke tensions.

After messages started floating around on social media urging for a massive protest the police have now begun to trace its origins. The misinformation campaign claimed that the protest call has been given by religious heads and suggested that a big message should go out to the rest of the country and other places.

The Mangaluru police held a meeting with community and religious leaders on Tuesday in which over 50 people participated.

Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said, “Highly objectionable messages are going around to mislead the community. In the light of protests in different parts of the country, anonymous messages on social media were giving a call for a massive protest in Manglauru to send out a mesage and circulated in some groups. We thanked the community for their support in the hijab and azaan issues. We asked them to inform us if they come across any provocative messages. They have assured of help in maintaining peace under all circumstances.”

“We have had such meetings at the police station level. Tuesday’s meeting was at the commissionerate level including Moodabidre, Mulki, Bajpe and Konaje. “Our media monitoring cell in constantly on the job and many WhatsApp groups are under our scanner. As and when situation demands, we will take action”, the police chief added.

Muslim leader Abdul Majeed Suralbadi said, “We want peace. The Nupur Sharma issue is in court and will take its own course. Communal disturbances have come down in the district as all communities are seen as equals, for which we thank the police. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have slipped in education and this should improve. Divisive forces should be stopped and the entire community should come together”.