Bengaluru: As the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya approaches, the Karnataka police department has initiated investigations against Ram Mandir activists involved in alleged property destruction and other offences during Ram Mandir movment in 1992, a special team has been formed to probe cases, and arrests are being made.

In Hubballi, Srikanth Poojari was arrested in connection with the alleged torching of shop owned by minority community member on Dec 5, 1992. Poojari is the third accused in the case, and efforts are underway to apprehend eight other suspects. Hindu organisations have expressed outrage , accusing the Karnataka Congress government of taking such actions due to the ongoing door-to-door campaigning by BJP and Hindu organizations in light of the Ram Mandir inauguration.

Meantime Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the recent arrests of two individuals in Hubballi, identified as ‘Karsevaks’, allegedly involved in the post-Babri mosque demolition commotion in 1992.  Siddaramaiah asserted that “ an accused is an accused till acquitted by the court of law”,  Arrest of Kar Sevaks based on court orders, emphasizing that crime does not fade away with time. Responding to criticism from the BJP regarding the Congress governemtn’s actions after 31 years, CM refuted claims of pursuing politics of vendetta and stated that the government abides by the law. He said Home minister G Parameshwara had directed police officials to address old cases based on court directives.

BJP state unit president BY Vijayendra said,” They have arrested a Ram bhakt when the state and whole nation is waiting for January 22. We are calling for protest throughout Karnataka against the state government”.  BY Vijayendra along with state BJP Leaders staged protest at freedom park against the arrest of kar sevaks.