Leaders of Hindu outfit booked for holding ‘Durga Doud’

Udupi town police have booked cases against leaders of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) for holding ‘Durga doud’, a Hindu ‘shakti sanchalan’ march, in violation of Covid-19 protocol.
The march was held on Friday and cases were registered under provisions of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act and sections of IPC based on a complaint filed by Udaya Kumar Shetty, Udupi city municipality commissioner.
The Udupi district branch of HJV had organised the march from Kadiyali Mahishamardini temple to Mahakali Amma temple in Ambalpady, a distance of 2km. The complaint says the organisers had not obtained permission from authorities concerned, and also violated Covid-19 safety guidelines by holding public gatherings.
Police said in addition to section 5(1) of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, HJV leaders were booked under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life).
The Durga doud programme was organised by HJV as part of their ‘Hindu Sanchalan’ movement to boost religious spirit. State energy minister V Sunil Kumar and K Raghupati Bhat, Udupi MLA, had attended. Police clarified that cases were booked only against the organisers and not those who participated in the event.