'Loud music' during azan row: BJP MPs including Tejasvi Surya detained after protest erupts over shopkeeper’s assault

A large crowd gathered after the BJP gave a call to its supporters to chant Hanuman Chalisa at the spot at noon on Tuesday. BJP leaders were also at the spot to support the protest.

Bengaluru: Hundreds of Hindutva activists on Tuesday gathered at the narrow Nagarthpet street in Central Bengaluru to "chant the Hanuman Chalisa and show solidarity with the Hindu community".

The gathering comes against the backdrop of the alleged assault on a shopkeeper in the locality on Sunday evening by six people.

The activists claimed that the shopkeeper, Mukesh, was attacked by Muslim youths since he played the Hanuman Chalisa.

Five people were arrested by the Halasuru Gate police after Mukesh was assaulted over a “loud noise” on a portable speaker. While the FIR made no mention of Hanuman Chalisa, Mukesh later told reporters that the suspects raised objections over his playing the hymn.

Sporting saffron shawls and holding similar flags with 'Jai Shri Ram' printed on them, the activists shouted slogans such as 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' 'Beke Beku Nyaya Beku,' 'Modi, Modi' and so on.

Around noon, Udupi-Chikkamagluru MP Shobha Karandlaje was detained by the police at the spot who said the gathering was against the model code of conduct in place ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Around 12.45 pm, as the police were trying to disperse the stubborn crowd, BJP's Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya arrived at the spot.

Surya reiterated that they had gathered to condemn the assault on a Hindu shopkeeper for "playing the Hanuman Chalisa."

He said five of the six accused named in the FIR have been arrested and called it a victory of the gathering. Soon after, he was also detained.

Earlier, his counterpart from Bangalore Central P C Mohan was also detained by the police at a different location.

"The gathering is to condemn the assault on a Hindu man by Muslim youths," said Jagadish, BJP Mandal vice-president, Chamarajpet.

Though one of the three youths, Rohit, arrested by on Monday is a Hindu as per the police, Jagadish and other protesters refused to accept the fact.

The protestors started dispersing around 1.10 pm.