In a shocking incident in Mangaluru, where people from the Muslim community were seen performing Namaz on the streets, has sparked intense controversy and garnered widespread criticism across the coastal region. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly condemned the act, issuing a stern warning of potential retaliatory actions.
The incident, captured in a viral video, unfolded in the Kankanady area of Mangaluru City on May 24. Witnesses reported that the act of offering Namaz on the street caused significant disruption to traffic, compelling several vehicles to reroute and inconveniencing the public. The brazen display of religious practice in a public space has ignited strong reactions from Hindu organisations and the public, prompting the police to launch an investigation.
In response to the incident, the Mangaluru East Police has taken preventive measures by registering a suo-moto case against unidentified individuals under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 283 (obstruction in a public way or line of navigation), 143 (unlawful assembly), and 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of the offence committed in prosecution of common object). Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal has confirmed that investigations are underway to identify those responsible for obstructing vehicular traffic and public movement.
Organiser E-Exit poll Lok Sabha Elections 2024
The VHP has unequivocally condemned the act of offering Namaz on the street, branding it as a deliberate attempt to sow unrest in the community. Sharan Pumpwell, the VHP’s joint secretary for the Dakshina Pranth, has demanded swift action from the district administration and issued a cautionary statement regarding potential future occurrences. Pumpwell warned that if similar incidents recur, the VHP would respond by organising mass recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa.
Echoing the sentiments of the VHP, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel attributed the incident to what he perceived as a disregard for laws and policies under the Congress-led state government. Kateel criticised the government’s handling of the situation, characterising it as indicative of an autocratic rule.
However, Muslim groups have condemned the VHP’s response. Anwar Sadat Bajathur, the SDPI district president, denounced the VHP for sensationalising the issue and emphasised the importance of avoiding religious tensions.
Similarly, DK District Muslim Okkuta president K Ashraf criticised Sharan Pumpwell for exacerbating the situation and urged restraint. Ashraf stressed that occasional religious practices should not be politicised or used as a tool to stoke tensions within the community.
The incident highlights how a section of the society intentionally organises such events despite stern laws in force.
