On 24th May (Sunday), communal unrest erupted in Karnataka’s Bhatkal town after a Muslim mob vandalised a recently rebuilt Moorina katte near Venkatapur along National Highway 66. The incident infuriated Hindu organisations and created a tense atmosphere in the area. Afterwards, the administration enforced prohibitory orders, apprehended 6 accused and filed 4 First Information Reports. “Six persons have been arrested, and legal action will be initiated in all the FIRs. The region is peaceful now,” informed Karwar Superintendent of Police MN Deepan.
Moorina katte is a deeply revered Hindu religious platform located in Jagate Katte in Bhatkal. It stood there for several years before it was taken down during the widening of National Highway. However, the structure was reconstructed by Hindu activists but the Muslim community objected and demanded its removal. Thousands of Muslim youths flocked to the spot at night, shouted slogans, blocked the road and partially destroyed the makeshift structure in front of police officers.
Tension flared up in Bhatkal town of Uttara Kannada district after a dispute over the reconstruction of a Hindu religious platform.
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According to police sources, a 'Moori Katte', a religious platform located at Jagate Katte in Bhatkal, had earlier been removed during National… pic.twitter.com/mFGmVmr2vr
This led to a heated argument between the aggressors and the cops. They even assaulted police personnel during the altercation. Hostilities escalated and authorities had to resort to a mild lathi charge to break up the gathering and control the deteriorating situation.
According to other reports, a furious argument sparked between the Hindu and Muslim which even resulted in physical altercation after which the police intervened and tried to placate them. However, a police officer who attempted to mediate a settlement was pushed around, ensuing a lathi-charge.
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka stated that stones were hurled at the police, resulting in injuries to many officers and held the Congress government responsible for the lawlessness.
Notably, Hindu groups submitted that the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) dismantled the “Devara Katte” (the aforementioned contentious location) on the term that it will be rebuilt beside the road after the widening is earmarked. “They promised to reconstruct it and assured us they would provide us the land. Accordingly, the tiny temple has been built. The Muslim groups are opposing it. They are nowhere concerned with it, because this is alongside NH 66,” they asserted.
They also denounced the violent incident. BJP leader linked to Hindu Jagarana Vedike Govind Naik that the occurrence transpired when everyone in the town were already mourning the unfortunate deaths of 10 persons who drowned in a stream at Alvekodi. He charged that some miscreants were trying to sabotage communal harmony.
Naik announced that Hindu outfits will hold a protest on Monday. A protest was already staged on Sunday night by Hindu groups. On the other hand, nine platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and three platoons of the District Armed Reserve (DAR) have been sent to the region. Authorities also urged locals to uphold peace and not succumb to rumours or provocation.
The Uttara Kannada district administration has issued prohibitory orders within the boundaries of Bhatkal Municipality and Jali Town Panchayat in accordance with Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) from 25th May at 6 am until the same time on 27th May. The gatherings of more than five persons in the affected zones have been outlawed as public meetings, protests and other potentially disruptive activities have been restricted during this period.
The district administration threatened to take legal action against anyone who disobeyed the directive. The ground condition continues to be sensitive with a large number of cops stationed in vulnerable pockets. The area is being monitored and further inquiry is underway. The four registered cases pertain to assault on police officials, blocking of the national highway, complained lodged by one of the wounded persons and a social media call for people to congregate at the scene.
The sacred site was designated for demolition as part of the national highway extension project, which provoked the conflict. Hindu groups protested the move and the district administration as well as authorities found a new spot for the relocation. A fresh structure was built, and its visuals went viral online. However, this enraged members of the Muslim community who first rallied for its elimination and then proceeded to vandalise it.
