Karnataka: Thousands hit the streets in Hassan demanding arrest of Prajwal Revanna

Hassan (Karnataka) [India], May 30 : Thousands of people on Thursday participated in the 'Hassan Chalo' protest organised by the Union of Karnataka People's Movement in Hassan district, demanding the arrest of suspended Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna in connection with the alleged obscene video case.
The protestors demanded that the suspended JD(S) MP be arrested on his arrival at the Bengaluru airport, likely on May 31.
The protest witnessed the participation of around 10,000 representatives of 113 organisations from different parts of the state. The procession started from Hassan's Hemavati statue and an open meeting was held at New Bus Stand Road near the District Collector's office.
CPM leader Subhashini Ali, Janavadi Mahila Sangathan president Meenakshi Bali, writers Banu Mushtaq, Roop Hassan and representatives of various organisations participated.
Several sections of people from different organisations, including women, farmers, students, gender minorities, literati, intellectuals, artists and retired government officials, participated in the protest rally against sexual exploitation of women from Bengaluru, Mysore, Hassan, Mangaluru, Mandya and Chikkamagaluru.
The leaders of the organisations said that since there was a discussion, those who distributed pen drives should be arrested for putting women's honour on auction. So decided to hold a Hassan Chalo demanding the arrest of Prajwal and action against those who distributed pen drives, they said.
The organisations were asked not to bring their own banners and flags. The union prepared a flag and pamphlet. A poster campaign was also initiated on social media in this regard.

Visuals from the protest showed protestors holding posters and raising slogans demanding the Hassan MP's jail.
Revanna is facing a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Karnataka government over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in his household.
Earlier on Wednesday, Revanna filed an application for anticipatory bail as he is set to return to India on Friday. Revanna's anticipatory bail plea was filed hours after the SIT arrested two prime accused in connection with the case. The arrested have been identified as Naveen Gowda and Chetan, the police said on Wednesday.
According to police sources, the accused were arrested when they appeared before the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. Arrested Chetan Gowda and Naveen Gowda allegedly distributed pen drives containing videos of Prajwal Revanna sexually assaulting women.
Prajwal Revanna, in a self-made video released on May 27, said that he will appear before the SIT on May 31 for questioning. Revanna said that his trip was pre-planned as there was no case against him when the voting was held in Karnataka on April 26 for the general elections. He also alleged political conspiracy against him as he was "growing in politics." Revanna's location is still unknown and is supposedly in Germany, according to officials.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said that as soon as Prajwal Revanna lands, he will be taken into custody.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said that action has been initiated to revoke the diplomatic passport of suspended Janata Dal-Secular MP Prajwal Revanna, adding that he has to reply to the show cause notice issued on May 23.
"MEA has initiated action under provisions in the Passport Act 1967 for revocation of the diplomatic passport of Prajwal Revanna. A show cause notice was issued to the passport holder on 23rd May, giving him 10 working days to respond to our notice. We are waiting for his response and accordingly, we will take things forward once we hear from him or once the 10-day period expires," he said.