Mangaluru: Sharan Pumpwell booked for making divisive statements, planting saffron flags

Mangaluru city police have booked Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sharan Pumpwell and his associates on allegations of indulging in activities potentially disturbing communal harmony.

Mangaluru police commissioner in a press note on Wednesday said that Sharan Pumpwell along with a group of followers had placed saffron flags on shops run by Hindus in the vicinity of Sri Mangaladevi Temple on October 16. Thereafter, he issued a press statement urging the Hindu community to exclusively support shops run by fellow Hindus for their needs.

The police commissioner said that these actions and statements have the potential to provoke religious discord.

The case against Sharan Pumpwell and others was lodged at the Mangaluru South Police Station, based on a complaint filed by PSI (L&O) Manohar Prasad of Mangaluru South Police Station, the press note added.