NewsKarnataka – Bantwal

Bantwal : “ Some vested interests are pressurising the student community to refrain from participating in the protests against the Sowjanya rape and murder case. But, there is an inevitability for the student community to take the lead in the protests without bowing to pressure,” said Mahesh Shetty Timarody, President of Prajaprabhutva Vedike.

He was addressing a mammoth protest meet organised in front of the BC Road Taluk Office on December 9, Monday under the aegis of the Sowjanya Para Horata Samithi. Timarody further said though the public are up in arms against the feudal system in Dharmasthala, some officials are totally backing those who are responsible for the Sowjanya rape and murder case.

This is regrettable, Timarody said and added everything will stand exposed if the then Belthangady SI Yogish Kumar, then SP Abhishek Goel and medical officers Adam and Rashmi are subject to enquiry.

Now, the evil group is slapping defamation cases to suppress the movement, Timarody alleged and added the crores of funds which the Temple receives in the form of donations, is being dumped for litigations.

Sri Esha Vittaldasa Swamiji of Kemar Mutt who also spoke said he was always with the student community. Fearing that students and their institution heads who have participated in the protest might have to face action, he however said he was always there for their cause. Any aggrieved student can contact me at any time, he said.

Dr Harale who lost his wife Vedavalli who too had met a suspicious end in Dharmasthala years, said his silence after his wife’s murder has helped the evil group continue its misdeeds. Now the people have rebelled after the Sowjanya case, he added.

Sowjanya’s mother Kusumavathi who was in tears said she was reminded of her daughter when she saw girl students who have gathered in large numbers for the propose.” Had my daughter been alive, then she too would have taken lead in such a protest,” Kusumavathi said.

Ashwija, a student who spoke said the student community should continue its fight till justice is done. Sowjanya’s father Chandappa Gowda, Bhuvith Shetty of the Action Committee and others were present.

This was the third protest held in Bantwal on Monday in favour of Sowjanya. Students and women participated in large numbers. The protestors also took out a jatha from BC Road Kaikamba Polali Dwara.