The speech by Sadhvi Balika Saraswati during the Hindu Samajotsava at Nehru Maidan here on Sunday was provocative, according to Police Commissioner S. Murugan. The police are thinking of filing a case, he added. “The speech is indeed provocative. We are considering action,” Mr. Murugan said. The police have also taken note of the organisers extending the programme beyond 5.30 p.m., the allotted time of closure, he said.
Earlier, while addressing presspersons on security measures for the Samajotsava, Mr. Murugan said: “Any violation will not go unpunished.”
Shops closed
Many shops, business establishments and malls in the city remained closed. While many owners had closed shops voluntarily in some areas police asked them to close down as a precautionary measure.Check-posts had been set up on several roads by the police to screen vehicles coming into the city.
Unlike earlier events, the Samajotsava was not telecast live in the local cable network. “I have seen earlier events sitting in the house. But I had to come out this time,” said Shanta Karkera, a 75-year-old resident of Pandeshwar, who found it hard to hear the Sadhvi’s speech by sitting on the pavement near the A.B. Shetty Circle.
Some people climbed up the trees abutting the maidan to have glimpse of the proceedings. There were many people on the road between the Town Hall and the A.B. Shettty Circle struggling to hear and see the glimpse of the stage.
There was brisk business for the pani puri vendors, ice cream and water bottle sellers at the maidan.
