Massive protest against proposed Christ statue near Bengaluru

Right wing organisations on Monday held a massive protest at Kanakapura near here against the proposed 114-foot statue of Jesus Christ, allegedly at a government land, sponsored by local legislator and senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar.

The protesters said the demonstration was also against the larger issue of alleged religious conversion that was taking place in the region.

Hundreds of people clad with saffron scarf took part in "Kanakapura chalo", organised by 'Hindu Jagaran Vedike', holding saffron flags in their hand marched from Aiyappa swamy temple at Kanakapura to Tahsildar office, shouting slogans "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Jai Sri Ram."
Protesters accused Shivakumar of trying to turn "Kapalibetta" or "Muneshwara betta", the hill on which the proposed statue is to come up, into "Yesu betta."
BJP leader and former Minister C P Yogeshwar, who took part in the protest, accused Shivakumar of trying to instigate communal violence for his "politics."
Questioning Shivakumar, whether he was doing it for the sake of vote and thereby to gain notes, he said "...what is your intention? You want to sell this country to foreigners once again; Hindu community is warning you...this is also an act of treason."
He further declared that "Muneshwara betta will remain Muneshwara betta..."
Later responding to reporters questions, Bhat said "if they are still adamant on going ahead with the statue, we will show the strength of Hindu community, we will fight against any activity against Hindu community."