BJP MLA: Shopkeeper not attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Chickpet constituency, Uday Garudachar, distanced himself from the statements issued by other party leaders on the recent incident involving an attack on a shopowner in Nagarathpete in the city.

Massive protests erupted in Bengaluru's Nagarathpete on Tuesday after BJP leaders followed by hundreds of rightwing members gathered demanding police to take strict action against the group of youth who had brutally thrashed a 26-yearold shopkeeper for playing devotional music during the evening 'Azaan' time on Sunday near the Siddanna Layout area.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Uday Garudachar said that it was untrue that the shopkeeper was attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa.

"As Nagarathpete falls within my constituency, I have reliable information about the incident. I strongly feel that the matter was blown out of proportion," Garudachar said.

The MLA further appreciated the efforts of the Bengaluru Police in handling the matter and arresting the accused in a swift action.

Suleman, Shah Nawaz, Rohit, and Tarun, all in their early twenties, have been apprehended. According to the police, the fifth individual involved is a minor, and they also mentioned that there is one more suspect yet to be identified.

"I'm an absolute secular person and believe in the coexistence of all communities in peace. Everyone has a right to follow his own religion. It was unfortunate that the matter had been politicized during the election season," he further said.

The BJP leader also added that he had a conversation with Tejasvi Surya about the issue on Wednesday morning and had suggested that he allow the police to handle the matter as per the law and he agreed to it.