BJP Leaders Detained During Protest March to Congress Office in Kalaburagi
In Kalaburagi city on Friday, police detained several BJP leaders and workers as they attempted to march to the District Congress office to protest against what they called the Congress government's politicisation of the NEET protest at Jantar Mantar.
The BJP leaders accused the Congress of diverting the NEET agitation from genuine student concerns by raising political issues, including a demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. They also condemned an incident where eggs were allegedly thrown at BJP leaders in Bengaluru and criticised the state government for failing to maintain law and order.
The protest began with BJP leaders and workers forming a human chain at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk before proceeding towards the Congress office. Addressing the gathering, BJP leaders alleged that the Congress government had failed to protect opposition leaders and workers, encouraged attacks on political opponents, and suppressed democratic protests. They demanded action against those responsible for recent incidents.
As the procession passed the Deputy Commissioner's office, workers carrying party flags raised slogans against the state government. Police had made elaborate security arrangements along the route, erecting barricades near Lahoti Petrol Pump to prevent protesters from reaching the Congress office. A brief confrontation occurred when BJP workers attempted to breach the barricades. Although some barricades were pushed aside amid sloganeering, police stopped the procession from moving further.
The confrontation intensified near Orchid Mall, where police detained BJP MLA Avinash Jadhav, former MLA Dattatreya Patil Revoor, former MLC Amarnath Patil, BJP leader Avvanna Myakeri, and more than a dozen party workers. The detentions led to dramatic scenes as BJP workers surrounded police vehicles carrying the detained leaders, attempted to block their movement, and raised slogans against the state government. They condemned what they termed police's 'high-handed' action before police dispersed the crowd and escorted the detainees away. Police maintained a tight vigil until the protest concluded.
Among those participating in the protest were BJP leaders Nitin Guttedar, state BJP OBC Morcha secretary Avvanna Myakeri, district BJP Yuva Morcha president Veeru Patil, former KADA chairman Sharannappa Talwar, former Mayor Vishal Dhargi, Jayashree Mattimod, Shobha Bani, Santosh Hadimani, Sachin Kadaganchi, and members of the BJP Mahila Morcha.
