Pub attack: A decade on, saffron threat hovers over watering holes in Mangaluru

MANGALURU: On this day exactly a decade ago, Mangaluru became the talk of the country, albeit for a negative reason. This was the day the infamous pub attack at Hampankatta took place.
While the court has acquitted all the accused, including firebrand leader Pramod Muthalik for lack of evidence, a lot of water has flown in the Nethravati River since then. Numerous watering holes have come up in the city and it seems the pub attack is a distant memory. In the past 10 years, more than a dozen pubs catering to modern public, have dotted the city.

In spite of all seeming hunky dory, sources say threat of an attack looms large every now and then. Saffron groups have reportedly warned pub owners against ‘inappropriate’ clothing, use of drugs, in addition to these watering holes doubling as pick-up joints.

T he owner of a popular pub in the city seeking anonymity said he had been cautioned by fringe elements a couple of times over “indecent behaviour” of his customers. The pub is one of the major hang out places of the young crowd. Incidentally, a close relative of his, w ho runs a bar only for men, did not receive any such warning.

In a relief for the city, cases of moral policing at liquor vends have not been reported in in the recent past.

Speaking to TOI, Sharan Pumpwell, secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Mangaluru, opined the 2009 pub attack should not have take n place. “A few youths beat up women in the incident. According to me, it is wrong. They should not have taken law into their hands,” he said. However, Sharan said, the Sangh Parivar will continue its fight against evils such as drug consumption and flesh trade. “We have been meeting parents from the Hindu community and appealing t o them to keep their children in check. We do not want our youngsters get involved in any activity that is morally illegal,” he said.