Bengaluru: Police have arrested six alleged Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) supporters in connection with an attack that had been perpetrated on a BJP-RSS supporter at a pro-CAA rally on December 22, 2019.
Bengaluru Commissioner of Police Bhaskar Rao said that a case has been registered against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He also mentioned that the investigation would be handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Speaking to ANI, Rao said, “There were six people belonging to SDPI, who were here to carry out attacks on leaders supporting CAA. These people were paid Rs 10,000 from their handlers to create ruckus here. Now, this will be handled by the Anti-Terror Unit.”
Stressing that the accused do not have any contact with Muslim community leaders, Rao further informed that their only job had been to create panic in the city.
“We have proper CCTV cameras and people are supporting us. We will not allow any terror module to operate in Bengaluru. These people who attacked the BJP-RSS supporter used helmets and phones,” he added.
Call for SDPI ban intensifies
Following the arrest, Karnataka minister Jagadish Shettar called for a ban on the SDPI party on Friday, January 17. Welcoming the police’s action, Shettar said, “SDPI always denies their involvement but it has been proven now. Their organisation should be banned as they have always been involved in anti-social activities and the Government of India should take very serious note of this.”
Karnataka Health Minister B Sreeramulu also reacted to the arrest by alleging that parties such as the SDPI and Popular Front of India (PFI) were backed by the Congress party. Hinting at a proposal to ban such organisations, Sreeramulu said, “The Congress party 100 percent supports the SDPI and PFI. Whenever they do not get the power, they try to disturb the peace with support from the SDPI and PFI. I will propose to ban these organisations in the Karnataka Assembly session. We will discuss this matter.”
(with inputs from ANI)
