Mumbai: VHP holds protest against alleged police brutality

Mohan Salekar (in saffron scarf), VHP secretary, Konkan Division, shows a picture accusing cops of brutality. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced a protest march from Eros Cinema in Churchgate to the Police Commissioner's Office (Crawford Market) this afternoon beginning at 3 pm. Senior VHP functionaries claimed at a press conference held at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Azad Maidan, that the protest is to raise awareness about VHP karyakartas (workers), facing police brutality.

The VHP top brass, including Shriraj Nair, national spokesperson, and Mohan Salekar, secretary, Konkan Division, addressed the media on Monday. They were joined on the dais by Gautam Rawaria, Bajrang Dal co-convenor, Konkan Division. Bajrang Dal is the VHP's youth wing.

Police brutality

Speaking to reporters, Nair said, "We have witnessed police brutality towards our karyakartas as they participate in a number of andolans on various issues. This, despite the VHP always procuring police and any other relevant permissions for the protests. We adhere to and maintain law and order."

"We have to contend with stone pelting by miscreants who are opposed to us as an organisation and the fact that we are protesting. These attacks against us are unprovoked. Then, when we go to file complaints against these with the police, they are usually converted to FIRs with some difficulty. Yet again, cross complaints are filed against us," added Nair.

Assaults intensified

The speakers were categorical in stating that the violence and assaults against their workers have intensified over the past two years.

Salekar pointed out, "As an example, we had planned a yatra for April 13-14 in the city. We shifted it to April 20 at the police's request. Even after respecting that request, on April 18, we were sent a letter that our ‘Ram Navami Shobha Yatra' cannot go ahead. On the day of the yatra, our people from Belapur were stopped at the Vashi check naka. Materials were confiscated by the police. Some of our members were even beaten."

Salekar held up photos of injured VHP victims to buttress his police assault allegations, saying in response to a statement from a media person that the police may deny these claims. He retorted, "But pictures don't lie."

The march

The speakers pointed out that even terrorists do not get this kind of treatment. They are given a fair trial. A pseudo-secular mentality has permeated this society, they added.

They said today's SoBo protest with the VHP cadre, supporters, and allies will be on foot. Banners will highlight their concerns and reasons for protest. "If we are stopped, we will continue protesting at the place where we are halted," they added, and in response to a question about numbers, they said they expected at least 10,000 persons for the march.