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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Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".

Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.

In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."

Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."

He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.

"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level. ⁠

Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.

Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.

"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.