Anyone can protest, but no one should damage public property: K'taka CM on vandalism of shops

Asserting that signboards in Karnataka should display information in Kannada, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday issued a warning against taking the law into one's own hands, saying anyone can protest but no one should cause damage to government or public property.

He was reacting to the large-scale vandalism in Bengaluru on Wednesday by activists of the pro- Kannada outfit Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (T A Narayana Gowda faction) targeting shops and business establishments which did not display Kannada signboards, advertisements and name plates.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) is seeking 60 per cent space on signboards for Kannada displays.

A magistrate court in Bengaluru on Thursday sent over 53 Kannada activists, including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president T A Narayana Gowda, who were arrested following yesterday's vandalism, to 14 days' judicial custody till January 10. They have been lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.

Police also took more than 1,000 people into preventive custody.

Condemning the vandalism, CM Siddaramaiah said, ''We are not opposed to protests. We will not oppose anyone who raises their voice against injustice or seek justice, but will take action against those who take the law into their hands.'' Speaking to reporters here, he said he has called a meeting of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and police officials with the home minister to discuss the implementation of rules regarding Kannada displays on signboards.

''Kannada boards are a must. This is Kannada nadu and the boards should be in Kannada here. We are not opposed to other languages, but Kannada should be prominent,'' he added.

Asked if the government would withdrew cases against the pro-Kannada activists, the chief minister reiterated that no one should take the law into their hands and the government is not opposed to peaceful protests.

To a question on Kannada activists accusing the government of taking action against those fighting for the Kannada cause, and that they would teach Congress a lesson in the Lok Sabha polls, he said, ''We have not stopped them from protesting, but we have taken action against those who have taken the law into their hands... Election thing, let's see when it comes; the government is here to maintain law and order.'' Stating that one's conduct or behaviour should not disturb or harm others, the CM said, ''Anyone can protest, but no one should cause damage to government or public property and take the law into one's own hands.'' Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara too said the government will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands in the state in the name of fighting for the Kannada language.

''We are not against the pro-Kannada activists but they should not take the law into their own hands. We are not ready to accept the damage caused to properties in Bengaluru,'' Shivakumar told reporters here.

''We have to save Kannada and we respect those who fight for saving Kannada but that does not mean that the government will shut its eyes to vandalism,'' he added.

The deputy CM said the government directions are clear that signboards, advertisements and name plates should allocate 60 per cent space to Kannada, and that there is a way to implement it such as issuing notices to those violating this norm.

The protesters can stage protests and raise slogans but damaging property is not acceptable, he said.

To a question about KRV convenor T A Narayana Gowda's warning to the government that it would face the music during the Lok Sabha elections if it did not respect the sentiments of Kannadigas, Shivakumar said they are free to do whatever they want in a democratic manner but vandalism will not be accepted.

''Investors have come here from different parts of the world. People are living here to make their livelihood. They should not be threatened,'' he added.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner D Dayananda said 53 Kannada activists including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president T A Narayana Gowda were arrested and that over 1,000 activists of the KRV who went on a rampage across Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka were put into preventive custody.

The police have registered 10 FIRs against the vandals, he added.

Gowda was arrested along with some of his aides in Yelahanka. On Thursday at around 5 AM, he was produced before a magistrate at his residence in Devanahalli who ordered that the arrested persons be placed in judicial custody, police sources said.

The allegations include assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, wrongful restraint, mischief, causing danger, obstruction or injury to any person and disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.

After their detention on Wednesday evening, Gowda and others were kept at the Police Driving and Maintainance School in Yelahanka before being taken for medical examination and being produced before the magistrate. They have been lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)