FIR filed against BJP MLA Vedavyasa Kamath and 11 others for alleged assault on Cong worker
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Mar 3 (PTI): An FIR has been registered against 12 individuals, including Mangalore City South MLA Vedavyasa Kamath, following an alleged assault on a Congress worker during a religious event at the Sri Krishna Bhajana Mandira near Shaktinagara, police said on Monday.
The incident happened late Sunday night, following which a complaint was lodged at the Kankanady police station here, they said.
According to the complaint lodged by Congress worker Yashwanth Prabhu, the incident occurred while he was assisting as a volunteer in welcoming guests for the Brahma Kalashotsava ceremony.
Prabhu alleged that upon arrival, MLA Kamath confronted him, asking, "What work do you have here after throwing stones at temples?", a remark he perceived as politically motivated.
When he objected, a verbal altercation ensued, following which a group of individuals, including Ashwith Kottari, Mani, and Jayaprakash, allegedly attacked him, tearing his shirt.
Prabhu also claimed in his report that Jayaprakash threatened his life.
Reacting to the complaint, BJP spokesperson Raj Gopal Rai dismissed the allegations as false, accusing the Congress of orchestrating a smear campaign against BJP leaders.
"Since Congress came to power, there has been a pattern of filing false cases against BJP leaders, including MLAs. This is yet another attempt to create chaos at a peaceful event and blame the BJP," Rai alleged.
MLA Kamath was merely engaging in casual conversations at the religious gathering and later distributed prasadam before leaving. However, some Congress workers attempted to stir unrest, instigating people to surround the MLA, he further alleged.
The BJP further claimed that during the incident, a member of the Scheduled Caste community accompanying the MLA was assaulted by Congress workers.
"When he went to lodge a police complaint, the Congress members, fearing a counter-case under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, staged a false narrative. One of them allegedly tore his own shirt and admitted himself to a hospital before lodging a complaint against the MLA," Rai added.
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Tension in Koppal village over Ambedkar flag during fair; five arrested
Koppal: Tension prevailed in Halwarti village of Koppal taluk after a clash reportedly broke out between members of Dalit and upper-caste communities over the hoisting of an Ambedkar flag during the Beeralingeshwara fair.
According to police, a verbal argument between youths from the two communities escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to unrest in the village.
In a related development, it has been alleged that members of the upper-caste community entered the house of a Dalit youth, identified as Gavisiddappa Hosamani, damaged the door and vandalised the front portion of the house.
As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.
Police said a complaint has been registered at the Koppal Rural Police Station and five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.
