The cases of moral policing are on the rise in coastal Karnataka, especially in Dakshina Kannada district.
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – Three Ram Sene workers were arrested for harassing an inter-faith couple on the outskirts of the Mangaluru city of Karnataka. The workers of Ram Sene, a pro-Hindu group, stopped the couple on Panambur Beach and interrogated them. The woman objected to the questioning and informed the police. A team of police personnel visited the spot and arrested three men.
The incident unfolded on Monday when the man from Kerala and the woman hailing from Bengaluru were strolling along the beach
The three accused stopped the couple and started questioning about their religion and why they were together. This led to an altercation between the two sides. The woman called the Panambur Police and sought help.
The police arrived at the spot and took the accused into custody. Following the woman’s complaint, the police filed an FIR and arrested three men.
The police are checking the background of the three men to find out if they were involved in any other crimes including moral policing incidents.
The cases of moral policing are on the rise in coastal Karnataka, especially in Dakshina Kannada district. Repeated incidents of moral policing are mainly due to the latitude given to policing, political courage and the functioning of Hindutva organisations.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed the police to take stern action against people involved in moral policing incidents.
The Mangaluru Police have banished several pro-Hindu workers including a few Bajrang Dal activists who have criminal backgrounds.
In December, Puttur police issued a notice to a Hindu activist seeking an explanation as to why he should not be deported from Dakshina Kannada district. Three cases are reportedly registered against Praveesh Kumar Nair. The BJP had accused the ruling Congress government of targeting pro-Hindu activists.
