In an incident that brought back memories of the infamous 2009 pub attack, activists allegedly belonging to Hindu Janajagrana Vedike on Saturday July 28 raided a resort in Padil, and thrashed and slapped girls who were allegedly partying.
The group barged into Morning Mist Home Stay at Padil and reportedly found alcohol and young people dressed indecently. They thrashed and manhandled a group of girls and boys who were at the party.
The activists claimed that those in the party were dancing and were involved in undesirable activities. There were four girls and around four or five boys.
One of the activists was seen slapping and bashing the head of a girl and pulling her roughly even as she tried to escape.
Kankanady rural police rushed to the spot. They took the activists into custody.
Corporator Mohan Padil was also detained and later released.
The locals also accompanied the Vedike actvists. They said that they had been complaining about the party even before but no action was taken, after which they approached the activists
The police later took the boys and girls also into custody for questioning.
This is the second such incident reported in the city in the last three years. In 2009, Mangalore came into national limelight after activists of Sri Rama Sene assaulted girls at a pub in Balmatta. While it was justified as a move to 'protect' Indian culture by the Sene, the incident invited the ire of people across the nation.
Protest
As soon as the news spread, hundreds of people gathered outside the resort and began to protest. They demanded arrest and strict action against the activists.
They also expressed fear that the police would let them go free without taking action.
As the situation went out of control, the police had to use mild lathi charge disperse the crowd.
Mayor Condemns Act
Mangalore mayor Gulzar Banu has angrily reacted to this incident. Speaking exclusively to daiiworld, she said, "Looking at daijiworld news, I am saddened to see people hitting girls. Being a mother, I feel sad that girls are treated like that in our place. Every mother, every brother, every sister will feel this. On the other hand, the resort culture is also not acceptable. Young boys and girls partying in such a way is not acceptable to the society. Resort owners must be held responsbile for this," she said.
Why didn't Hindu activists protest against Udupi rave party? - Mahendra Kumar
Speaking to daijiworld, Mahendra Kumar, former Bajrang Dal president, and now a JD(S) party member criticised Hindu Jagarana Vedike members who attacked girls at the Padil resort. He questioned the same activists and demanded to know why they had not raided the 'Rave party' organised at Malpe in February under the district administration.
"That party was worse than this. If they are really concerned about culture, then they should have treated that incident also in the same way," he said.
He criticised the district administration for failure in law and order. "Government is not serious about tackling these issues," he said.
Congress Demands Release of Girls
The Congress activists protested against the police for taking girls involved in the resort incident into custody.
They headed to Pandeshwar women police station and staged a dharna demanding the immediate release of the girls.
Condemning the incident, they demanded strict action against the activists of Hindu Janajagrana Vedike and said that it is they who should be arrested and not the girls.
"The girls and boys were only having a birthday celebration in the resort, and were not doing anything illegal. Why should they be taken into custody?" they questioned.
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