Mangaluru: The Sangh Parivar activists literally resorted to Goondaism  at the Manasa Water Park at Pilikula Nisargadhama on the outskirts of the city on January 2, Tuesday by   intercepting students  of a college who were enjoying a picnic and even  assaulted one of the girls right in the presence of the police.

Though video clipping of the same went viral in the social media, the Kavoor police who had reportedly remained apathetic  in the beginning  registered a case only after an advocate intervened. Later the cops arrested Sampath Shetty, Varada and Dinesh of Moodushedde in connection with the incident.

The incident : Two  boys, both II PUC students of a college at Aikala Thalippady near Kinnigoli along with two female students  had hired a car on Tuesday and had arrived at Pilikula Nisargadhama. The  Parivar activists who gathered information that the students were making merry at the Manasa Water Park,  barged  into the place and  attempted to assault the students. The Kavoor Police who arrived at the spot made arrangements to take the students out of the Park.

Assaulted : As the students were being escorted outside,   Sampath Shetty, a prominent local activist of Hindu Jagarana Vedike   hit one of the girls on her neck right in the presence of the police who however at that moment made no attempt to take him to custody. Someone who recorded the   incident had  circulated it in the social media. It was only after it went viral and caused uproar that the cops  registered a case.

Victim's mother files complaint : As per the complaint lodged by Melcy Serrao, the mother of  the  assault victim, police have arrested  HJV activists Sampath  Shetty, Varad and Dinesh  and have registered  cases against them under Section 341, 342, 324, 506, 509, 355, 153(a) and 74(1) of the IPC. Police said the prime accused Sampath Shetty already has  a few cases against him in Kavoor Police Station.

Action on basis of video clipping : DCP Hanumantharaya told "Vartha Bharathi" that  action would be taken against the perpetrators of the incident based on the video footage. 

Widespread anguish : The goondaism and vigilante attack by the Parivar activists has  led to widespread anguish with many  venting out their ire against the district administration as well as the Police Department  for their failure to rein in the  unscrupulous elements. 

"This is a joint operation"  

"This is a joint operation of the Sangh Parivar and the Police Department. The Police Department in the district  has completely bowed before the Sangh Parivar. The viral video of Tuesday is testimony to this.  Instead of  taking into custody those  who  tried to come in the way of the students who were at Pilikula, it is condemnable on the part of the police for allowing  assault on the student right in their presence. Such an incident would not have taken place had the Sangh Parivar activists had any fear of the Police Department or law. A similar incident took place at Subrahmanya recently.  Everyone is well aware as to why such incident  taken place during election time. Such incidents would not have recurred if the district administration and Police  Department acted tough.  The authorities must take this incident seriously.  There should also be an investigation into the Police failure during the incident."

 Vidya Dinker, social activist 

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"Those resorting to goondaism must be reined in"

"The Police Department has completely bowed before the Sangh Parivar in the district.  Their taking this incident lightly despite assault on the girls right in their presence is proof to this. The  government, elected representatives and the social organisations must extend their moral support to the Police Department  to ensure that action follows against those resorting to goondaism. The incident is condemnable."

Dinesh Hegde Uleppady, advocate and social activist

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London (PTI): Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol huddled under an umbrella on a rainy Thursday in London to unveil their bronze likeness from an iconic ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ scene.

The sculpture of the duo joins Leicester Square’s ‘Scenes in the Square’ trail depicting memorable shots from some of the world’s most famous films, with ‘DDLJ’ marking a Bollywood first and the 30th anniversary of the 1995 box-office hit. It is in this popular London square that SRK as Raj and Kajol as Simran first cross paths unknowingly.

“DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why 'DDLJ' has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now," said Khan.

“Personally, 'DDLJ' is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the Heart of London Business Alliance, behind the cinematic trail at Leicester Square, for celebrating ‘DDLJ’ and “immortalising” its lead stars.

“Seeing ‘DDLJ’ become the first Indian film to be honoured in the iconic Scenes in the Square trail is an emotional moment and has brought back so many memories.

"I feel immense pride knowing the film has been embraced around the world, and I want to share this moment with the entire cast and crew of ‘DDLJ’, my friend and director Aditya Chopra and the Yash Raj Films family. This is a moment I will never forget,” added Khan.

Kajol, joined by her daughter Nysa and son Yug, posed with Khan in front of the statue as she braved the rain in a green saree.

“It’s incredible to see ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history - a story that has truly travelled across generations,” said Kajol.

“Seeing it find its rightful place in Leicester Square, a location of such enormous significance to ‘DDLJ’, makes this moment even more special. For the film to be honoured in this way in the UK – the first Indian film to receive such recognition – is something that will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all the ‘DDLJ’ fans across the world,” she said.

Their statue, captured in a dancing pose from the hit song ‘Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna’, joins the likes of Harry Potter, Bridget Jones, Mary Poppins, and Batman in what is dubbed as an ever-growing celebration of movie magic in a square packed with multiplex cinema screens.

“When ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, DDLJ, was released 30 years ago, the film became a defining moment for Indian cinema and changed the face of the industry, capturing the hearts of everyone who saw it all over the globe," said Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films.

“We’re thrilled to be the first Indian film to be represented in ‘Scenes in the Square’. It also marks 30 years of DDLJ, a film that has spread love and joy globally, and shows the cultural impact it has had in UK.

“We are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognised on the world stage alongside the Hollywood elite, from Gene Kelly to Laurel & Hardy to Harry Potter. This statue will be a great way to express the international appeal of Indian movies and build bridges amongst communities through cinema,” he said.

Since its release in 1995, ‘DDLJ’ has become the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history.

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive at Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “We’re proud to welcome global megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to our Scenes in the Square trail.

"Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is a cinematic phenomenon that has shaped generations, and London’s first tribute to Indian cinema honours a story whose magic continues to captivate audiences worldwide.”

It is a particularly special year for the film, with a musical based on the romance playing to packed houses at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year. Aditya Chopra reprised his role as director of the English language stage production, ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’, which revolved around the love story of Simran and Roger.

The script was a nod to the original as it followed Simran as a young British Indian woman who finds herself engaged to a family friend in India in an arranged marriage. However, the plot thickens when she falls in love with a British man named Roger.