Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday, 2 April, said that he had directed all the Superintendents of Police (SP) and Deputy Commissioners to initiate strict action against those who try to create problems during the Ugadi festival amid the controversy over banning halal food in Karnataka.
Karnataka is celebrating Ugadi on Saturday, followed by the 'Hosa Tadukua' on Sunday. People, especially in south Karnataka, feast on meat food during this period. Hindutva activists are carrying out a full-fledged campaign to stop Hindus from purchasing halal-cut meat.
Bommai said that he had directed officials to call for peace meetings between the leaders of the communities to ensure that the law and order system was not disturbed in the state.
Meanwhile, Bhadravathi Police in Shivamogga district arrested seven persons for assaulting the staff of a hotel, demanding non-halal meat on Friday night. The arrested persons had gone to a chicken meat stall, abused and threatened the owner for selling halal meat, "as 99 percent of the population of the area follows the Hindu religion."
The same group went to the Janata Hotel and demanded jhatka-cut meat. They insisted that the hotel stopped selling halal-cut meat. They quarrelled with a customer and assaulted one of the hotel staffers. The hotel and meat shop owners had lodged a complaint with the police.
Shivamogga SP Lakshmi Prasad stated that based on two FIRs, Vadivelu, Savai Singh, Srikanth, Krishna, Gunda, and two other persons were arrested.
Meanwhile, Shashikala Jolle, Minister for Muzarai and Wakf, stated on Saturday, "We are with Hindu activists who are carrying out campaigns against halal meat. I have to learn about halal and jhatka cuts. Once I gather information, will talk to CM Bommai and he will take a call on it."
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