Hindutva organisations organised Bagalkot Chalo, a rally in Bagalkot on Thursday, to protest against the recent stone-throwing incident in the city.
They submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Sangappa who visited the protest site.
Among the various demands made by speakers was the permanent closure of the Panka Masjid, saying that miscreants sitting inside the mosque threw stones at police officers during the Shivaji Jayanti procession.
They said that the stone-throwing was a conspiracy and was aimed at insulting the Shivaji Jayanti procession on February 19.
They also said that the Panka mosque has been the point of contention for several decades. It has led to several law and order disturbances. They demanded that the mosque be closed permanently, its office-bearers and preachers be arrested and punished.
They threatened to demolish it if it was not closed down.
Leaders said that a process of constructing mosques without due permit is going on across the district and the officers are silent about it.
“The State government and district administration officials should not allow any new mosque in the city,” they said.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.
