Vijayapura: The District Police have finally filed a suo moto case against Pooja Veerashetty, a pro-Hindu activist for her inflammatory speech made on Wednesday February 23.
Gol Gumbaz Police Station has filed the case under Sections 295 (A), 505(2) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code for deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings, creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes and criminal intimidation.
It may be noted that on Wednesday, Pooja had participated in the procession called by various pro-Hindu outfits to protest against the killing of Bajrang Dal worker of Shivamogga.
Hundreds of people, including saffron-clad seers and supporters of rightwing organisation had gathered outside Siddeshwara Temple. During this time, Pooja had given a call for genocide of the Muslims while referring to Hijab controversy. She had said that they (Hindutva outfits) will not allow India to become a Hijab nation. “If Muslims want to wear Hijab then Hindu will have to carry swords and will chop them off inch by inch,“ she had said.
The statement drew strong criticism from various quarters and were condemned stating that such hate speeches are aimed at creating communal division in the society.
Even Former Home Minister, M. B. Patil criticised the event and demanded police to file a suo moto case. The pressure was reportedly mounting on the police also to take suo moto case against the girl for her highly objectionable statement.
“What is appalling and unfortunate is that the police delayed in filing a case against the girl even after the video went viral and lakhs of people had watched it already,” said Srinath Pujari, a local activist.
He said that the delay in filing the case clearly indicates that certain forces were working from behind that were trying to prevent the filing of a case against the girl.
Pujari said that the police was forced to file the case only after it came under attack from various quarters for the delay.
M. C. Mulla, another activist who was demanding arrest of the girl, also echoed similar sentiments.
Expressing anguish over some political leaders for brainwashing innocent students and using them as scapegoats to achieve their political agenda, he appealed to students not to fall prey and spoil their careers.
“The students should focus on their careers. The girl who was receiving cheers when she was giving inflammatory statements, has no knowledge that none of them will come to her rescue when she will be faced with legal issues. Her future will be destroyed and she will be facing legal hardship for years to come,” he said.
