‘Custodians of Culture’ at work again: Morning Mist attack triggers condemnations

‘Custodians of Culture’ at work again: Morning Mist attack triggers condemnations

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 28, 2012: ‘Custodians of Culture’ are at work again in Mangalore.The moral policing incident reported from the Morning Mist Home Stay at Padil in Mangalore on the night of July 28, Saturday, is snowballing into a controversy. The attack has brought Mangalore in spotlight again, absolutely for wrong reasons.

The latest moral policing act by the Hindu vigilante group has reminded one of the infamous Amnesia pub attack of 2009 wherein girls in the pub were manhandled leading to uproar all over the nation.

The latest incident, though a grave one is an addition to the series of moral policing incidents that have been reported in the district in the recent past.

The developments are disturbing and the claims now are that the boys and girls who were partying to celebrate the birthday of their friend, had duly secured their parents’ permission to party. The truth however is yet to come out.

There are reports that there were four girls and around five boys, and some of them were children of so called dignitaries, though the names are not yet known.

The Hindu Jana Jagarana Vedike activists who barged into the home stay have alleged that the boys and girls were involved in undesirable activities, and liquor was also found. Reports said the local corporator Mohan Padil too was present  had been detained along with the Hindu activists, but was released later on.

According to police, a 50-member group, suspected to be members of ’Hindu Jagarana Vedike’, raided the home-stay at Padil alleging that a rave party was being held there and assaulted girls and boys injuring them. The faces of some girls were also blackened, police said. As soon as the news spread, hundreds of people gathered outside the resort and began to protest. They demanded arrest and strict action against the activists. As the situation went out of control, the police had to use mild lathi charge disperse the crowd.

CM  seeks  report from Home Ministry 

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, meanwhile, directed Home Minister R Ashok to get a report about the attack. 

"I have asked the Home Minister to get details about the attack and a give a report about the incident. Then we will take action," Shettar told reporters in Bangalore. 

Home Minister R Ashok has also assured stern action against those who took law into hands in the Morning Mist attack. There is no question of letting go any of the accused, he said.

The return of moral policing in Mangalore,  has triggered a wave of condemnation from opposition parties and women’s organizations against the BJP government. 

State President of Hindu Jagarana Vedike President Jagadish Karanth defended the attack and demanded a check on such "obscene activities." 

Meanwhile, State Women Commission Chairperson Manjula decried the attack and wanted the government to punish the culprits. 

Mangalore Mayor Gulzar Banu while condemning the incident wherein girls were manhandled, at the same time said resort culture was unacceptable. “Young boys and girls partying in such a way is not acceptable to the society. Resort owners must be held responsible for this," she said.

Mahendra Kumar, former Bhajrang Dal president, and now a JD(S) party member however condemned the attack and questioned why the activists did not raid the infamous Malpe rave party which was worse than this.

Congress demands action against Hindu activists

The Congress meanwhile staged a protest demanding release of the arrested girls. The workers demanded that activists of the Hindu organization and not the girls involved in the act.  Congress leader  Ivan D’Souza said the act of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists was undemocratic. On the flashing of the assault news with video footages in TV channels, he said it was a heinous crime and demanded action against those responsible. Mithun Rai,  P V Mohan  and many other Congress party workers protested   in front of the Pandeshwar police station throughout the night on Saturday.