Mangaluru (The Hindu): The Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP) on Tuesday demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into all communal clashes in Dakshina Kannada district alleging that the Congress had had a role to play in many such incidents.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has planned a protest at B.C. Road on June 24 against district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai’s instructions to a police officer which video went viral on Sunday. Party’s State president B.S. Yeddyurappa and other senior leaders would take part in the protest, said BJP district president Sanjeev Matandur.

VHP Pranth Pramukh M.B. Puranik told reporters here that the video-clippings that show Mr. Rai instructing the Superintendent of Police to arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat is a proof for the charge.

Minor clashes between individuals have been taking communal colour for several years and the video goes to show that the Minister might be behind such flare-ups. Unfortunately, it is always either the VHP or the Bajrang Dal that were being blamed for every such communal clash, he regretted.

Mr. Puranik said that the Minister’s instructions were direct interference in police work, which is being done to appease a particular community for political gains. Being in public life for many years, Mr. Rai should not have talked lightly about Mr. Bhat who has been rendering invaluable service to society.

The VHP would support the June 24 protest of the BJP at B.C. Road, Mr. Puranik said. He noted that the protest is being organised against “love jihad”, attack on temples, illegal cow transportation and slaughter and such other “vindictive” actions against Hindus.

Vote bank politics

At another media conference, Mr. Matandur said that Mr. Rai has indulged in politics of appeasement ahead of the Assembly elections. Despite the Superintendent of Police giving a report that communal clashes in the district are an offshoot of increasing drug abuse, the Minister has done nothing to address the drug menace and instead has targeted Mr. Bhat who is into social service.

Mr. Matandur said that as the district Minister, it was Mr. Rai’s responsibility to convene a peace meeting of leaders from political parties and various religions to address communal disturbances in Bantwal taluk. Instead, he “gave lessons” to the police officer in the presence of anti-social elements, he regretted.

He also wondered whether the Minister has lost mental balance for asking the police the reasons for not arresting those fighting against the Netravathi water diversion project.