Hanuman Chalisa-Azaan row: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya among 40 detained after protest in Bengaluru

Union minister Shobha Karandlaje and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya were among the 40 BJP workers who were detained in Bengaluru after holding a protest in support of a shopkeeper who was attacked by a group of four to five people for allegedly playing Hanuman Chalisa during Azaan time.

According to the Indian Express newspaper, several pro-Hindu outfits took to the streets of Nagarathpet, affecting business at the trade hub.

While many BJP leaders claimed that the shopkeeper Mukesh was attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa, Mukesh said in his complaint that he was assaulted for playing loud music, which caused the furore.

Meanwhile, five persons have been arrested in connection with the attack on Mukesh.

Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda told Indian Express, "Police arrested three persons – Suleman, Shahnavaz and Rohith – on Monday and two persons– Tarun and Jahid— on Tuesday. Further probe is underway.”

He said that one more person is yet to be taken into custody.

Indian Express quoting a police officer from Halasuru Gate police station reported that Mukesh, in his complaint, alleged that he was playing some Hindi song loud, prompting the accused to confront him.

The heated argument began when Mukesh stated that it was his freedom to play songs in his shop, following which he was attacked, the officer said, citing the complaint.

But Mukesh then gave a different statement to the media later, alleging that he was attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa at the time of Azaan.

The issue continued to rage in social media, with Tejasvi Surya posting on X, “(State minister) Dinesh Gundu Rao knows more about the incident than the victim himself. There must be a limit to appeasement and hypocrisy. For once, show the spine to stand up for justice.”

Hitting back, State Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao wrote on X: “As usual @Tejasvi_Surya tries to spread hatred. The boys who have attacked the Hindu shopkeeper are both Hindus and Muslims. Why will Hindus attack a Hindu shopkeeper over Azaan. Who has said that Hanuman Chalisa was being played? What makes you jump to the conclusion that it was a fight over Azaan Vs Bhajan? Whatever the fight was all about, the people who acted wrongly should be punished, but it’s shameful to see this young leader from #BJP indulging in gutter and cheap politics.”

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