Bantwal: The Vitla police have arrested the leader of Kasargod Hindu Ikya Vedike on Friday, September 21 for delivering an offensive speech against the Muslim community during a programme on September 2.The controversial speech was made at a programme, organised on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami at Bantwal under the Vitla Police Stations limits, of which Manjunath Udupa alias Pushparanga Bhat was the chief guest. During his address to the gathering, Udupa began using abusive language against the Muslim community.
Offended by the speech, the Kadambu Juma Masjid Administrative Committee members lodged a complaint with the Vitla Police Station against Manjunath Udupa, organiser of the program Chetan Pedimale, masters of the ceremony Bhaskar Taylor and Suresh Kottari, Varadaraja Kottari, BK Krishnappa Salian and Ramesh Poojary.
On the day that the case was registered, all of the accused in the case had absconded. However, on September 11, all except Manjunath Udupa and BK Krishnappa Salian appeared before the court where they were granted bail, after which they appeared before the police, sources said.
Manjunath Udupa, the main accused in the case, was arrested on Friday, September 21, they added.
