SDPI distances itself from Bengaluru violence, blames police for inaction

MANGALURU: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has distanced itself from the violence that rocked DG Halli and KG Halli areas of Bengaluru late on Tuesday. Elyas Mohammed Tumbe, state president of SDPI, in a video message, while expressing concern and regret over the incident, said the alleged blasphemous post by the accused, and police inaction in arresting him forthwith in an attempt to buy time, was the trigger for the incident.
Police did not initiate any action against accused Naveen till around 11.30pm, and it is apparent that this was guided by the fact that he is the nephew of Pulikeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, Elyas said. “A group of agitated people who had gathered there were further incensed by the apathy of the police,” he said, and said that it had created an atmosphere of discord. It is police failure that has led to loss of three precious lives in subsequent firing, he added.
Defending the action of SDPI leader Muzammil Pasha, whom police have since arrested, Elyas said Pasha and other leaders are seen in videos trying their best with the police to pacify the agitated mob. “Pasha and the local ulema are seen beseeching the crowd not to lose their cool, as leaders of the community are in touch with the police to sort out the issue,” he said. Subsequent action taken against Pasha is a cover up for intelligence, government, and police failure, Elyas alleged.