Mangaluru: Bharathiya Janatha Party of Dakshina Kannada District is all set to hold “Padayatra” on October 2 from Puttur to Padumale demanding the arrest of people who captured the photo of man who insulted Devi Baideti idol by touching its chest and condemning repeated theft in temples in undivided Dakshina Kannada.

“The Padayatra will be of 22 km. MP of Dakshina Kannada Nalin Kumar Kateel will lead the Padayatra. MLC Kota Shrinivas Poojary and MLC Ganesh Karnik will join the Padayatra”, said BJP President Sanjeeva Matandoor in a press meet.

He also said that the police department had arrested a fanatic from another community who had insulted faith of Hindus by touching chest of Idol. “Police department have arrested the accused but they should also arrest the people behind this act. Several incidents of insulting deities have been reported in the district. Even series of temple thefts have been reported in undivided district. Hence condemning this, the BJP is holding Padayatra”, he explained.

He also said that District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai who has assured of sanctioning Rs 5 Crore for the development “Deyi Baidethi” medicinal plant park had not released a single penny.

When media asked that if the administration had not provided permission for the Padayatra, MP Nalin Kumar said, “We will approach and seek permission for Padayatra. If the permission is denied, we will go ahead as we did in Mangaluru Chalo.”

It may be recalled that Abdul Haneef (25), a resident of Eshwarmangala near Puttur was arrested for posting on social media, an “improper” image of Deyi Baideti, a revered spirit of Tulunadu.

Monappa Bhandary, Brijesh Chowta and others were present.