Mangaluru: Deshapremi Sangatanegala Okkuta staged in connection to Vinayaka Baliga Murder in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here, on April 15.
Speaking on the occasion, Social Activist Narendra Nayak said, “Today we have not gathered here to pay tribute to Vinayaka Baliga. We will not maintain a minute’s silence as a tribute to Baliga’s soul because the silence maintained by the people of Mangaluru is enough. The politicians are dumb and the 5 lakh strong population of Mangaluru is deaf.”
Speaking about the lukewarm reaction given by the ministers Nayak said, “Other than Minister UT Khader, no other minister has visited the family of the deceased. MLA JR Lobo would be on the forefront whenever there is an attack on a church, but today he is nowhere to be seen. Baliga was a grassroots level worker of the BJP and had worked tirelessly to secure victory for MP Nalin Kumar Kateel in the assembly elections. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has neither paid a visit to the family nor has uttered a single word about Vinayaka Baliga. Janardhan Poojary who calls a press meet every alternate day to voice his concerns against injustice has been mute on delivering justice to Vinayaka Baliga. All are same in the political scenario. The RTI Act was given by the Congress government, but today they have failed to protect the activists.”
“Baliga was not an atheist like me but yet I am struggling to give him justice when the people of his own community have failed to do it. Even if I am threatened, it is better to die at once than die inch by inch every day. There were reports that he was a blackmailer, but police have done their investigation and have given him a clean chit,” Nayak said.
“The right wing organisations come out in protest if they find a couple walking together holding each other’s hands or cattle being slaughtered but when an activist is murdered they are nowhere to be seen, there is no any “Sane” in sight. Mangaloreans have the habit of not interfering in anyone’s business till it affects them. If there was a celebrity or his kin visiting Mangaluru then people would turn up in huge numbers to see them, but when an activist is hacked to death nobody is bothered. Yesterday it was Baliga and tomorrow it may be me. But we have to struggle for justice for the sake of humanity. The guilty should be brought to book,” Nayak said.
While interacting with the mediapersons, Nayak said, “There have been many attempts to save the guilty. But the reality is that each one is trying to save themselves. There is news that a PIL has been filed by a ‘so-called unknown’ activist to change the investigating team. But neither we nor the family of Vinayaka Baliga has asked anyone to change the investigating team. The Police Commissioner has promised not to spare anyone and has assured that he cannot be transferred till December 2016.”
He said, “This is a do or die situation. Earlier there used to be gang wars, but today a person not affiliated with any gang has been murdered. This should not be repeated, a proper investigation should be done and the guilty be punished. We have raised questions about the motives of the Home Minister and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel too. If they are not guilty of anything then they should deliver a statement on their innocence to the public. We will continue the struggle, on April 26 we have plans to hold a protest march from the spot of Baliga’s murder to the DC office.”
DYFI District President Dayananda Shetty and others also spoke on the occasion. PV Mohan, Jerald Towers, family members of Vinayaka Baliga and others were also present.
Trace the case:
- BJP Leaders Involved in the Murder of Vinayak Baliga – Mithun Rai
- ‘Lookout Notice Issued against Yuva Brigade’s Naresh Shenoy’ – Police
- ‘BJP Directly Involved in Murder of Vinayak Baliga’ – Ramanath Rai
- Has Murder Suspect Fled to Dubai? Baliga Family Expresses Fears
- CPI(M) Demands Thorough Probe into Vinayak Baliga Murder Case
- Vinayak Baliga’s Work Gains Momentum at National Level
- Nikhil Shenoy in City on Fact-finding Mission in Baliga Murder Case
- Baliga Murder – Police Raid House of Naresh Shenoy of Yuva Brigade
- Police Look out for Shiva and Shrikant Wanted in Baliga Murder Case
- Activists Demand Special Investigation Team in Baliga Murder Case
- Baliga Murder – Fingers Pointed at Yuva Brigade Leader
- An Open Letter to Fellow-Mangalureans on Vinayak Baliga’s Murder
- Vinayak Baliga Murder – Two Suspects Arrested
- Murder of Vinayak Baliga, RTI Activist who Fought for Justice
Lone voice in vain against the atrocity. Mangalore is well known for spineless people who run away instead if protesting. Even someone like imaginary Praveena don’t raise their voice, ahem pen against this. The silence of the media is also deafening. So shall we assume that Mangaloreans are busy consuming Beer after reading Alfie’s intelligent article?
I don’t understand the obsession of these ‘activists’ to blame Hindu organizations for everything!!! Those who blame the silence of mangalureans should take a look at their own past actions and silence on many other important topics including cartoon controversy, JNU incident and MIA incidents. One doesn’t gain any credibility by showing selective outrage.
As to the murder of Mr.Baliga, our police should show zero tolerance. If I am right, they have already captured the individuals who murdered Mr.Baliga. I’m sure they would catch the masterminds behind the murder as well.
Arrest of murder accused should reveal the mastermind within hours because of Guantanamo Bay style police interrogation techniques prevailing in India. Use the RTI again and get the status of murder investigation. Police should speak out and let the public know who and what is hindering the investigation. Why there is no reward announced for capturing the absconded suspect. Since so many people are smelling rat and demanding justice, why can’t the Govt. hand over the investigation to CBI. Is there any way the protesters can hire a Private Detective Agency to aid the investigation?