By IANS,
Bangalore: Police, political parties, pro-Kannada outfits are all out to protect people planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day Sunday in Karnataka in defiance of right wing group Sri Rama Sene’s threat to disrupt the celebrations.
Around 100 companies of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) will join the hundreds of regular police personnel across the state to ensure the day passes off without incident, according to Director General of Police Ajay Kumar Singh.
The deployment of KSRP and additional police personnel on duty Sunday follows Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s direction to thwart possible attempts by Sene men to create trouble following Thursday’s blackening of the face of its chief Pramod Mutalik.
Mutalik had threatened to marry off people displaying affection to each other in public places on Valentine’s Day.
A group of youth, said to belong to Youth Congress, smeared Mutalik’s face with black paint here Thursday, protesting his threats against celebrating V Day.
Leaders of Congress and pro-Kannada political parties and organisations Saturday condemned Mutalik’s threats and assured protection to people celebrating the day.
Leader of the opposition in the state assembly Siddaramaiah of the Congress party questioned who Mutalik was to dictate what people should celebrate or not. He called for stringent action against Mutalik and his outfit.
Vatal Nagaraj, leader of the Kannada Chaluvaligaru (Kannada protagonists) said his party will take out a rally on M.G. Road, the most popular youth hangout in city centre, Sunday morning to send a message to Sene members.
G.T. Nayarayana Gowda, president of Karnataka Rakashna Vedike (Karnataka Protection Forum), an aggressive pro-Kannada outfit, said members of his organisation would be going round areas popular with the young to prevent Sene men from troubling couples.
Last year too, Mutalik had threatened to marry off couples celebrating the day but his plan petered out in the face of widespread condemnation.