Duo protests lack of bank loan forms in Kannada, beats up cop

Police have arrested two self-styled Kannada activists for assaulting a constable at a financial services firm on Friday.

Dashrath (32), an auto-rickshaw driver, and Kiran (42) picked a quarrel with the staff of Muthoot Finance in Vinayaka Nagar, Wilson Garden, over the lack of loan forms in Kannada. The duo had come to the firm to apply for a loan. They took umbrage that the forms were only in English and started quarrelling with the manager.

The manager called the police. Prakash, a constable, arrived soon after and asked the duo to stop quarrelling over the matter. But the men confronted him, saying he was "unfit" to be a Kannadiga. They said they belonged to a pro-Kannada outfit and hurled abuses at the policeman.

The suspects went on to rough up the constable and a security guard. The constable called for reinforcements and hauled the duo to the police station. The men were booked for assaulting a public servant.