BENGALURU: The halal ban controversy in Karnataka has reached a critical point. Basavaraj Bommai, the Chief Minister, said on Saturday that he has asked all Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners to take harsh action against anyone attempting to cause trouble during the festival.

On Saturday, Karnataka will celebrate Ugadi, followed by 'Hosa tadukua' on Sunday. During this time, people, particularly in south Karnataka, gorge themselves on non-vegetarian food in droves. Hindutva militants are waging a full-fledged campaign to convince Hindus that they should not buy halal chopped meat. In response to a question, Bommai stated that he has directed that peace meetings amongst community leaders be held and that the state's law and order system be maintained.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Bhadravathi police in Shivamogga district arrested seven people for attacking hotel personnel and demanding non-halal meat. The arrested individuals had gone to a chicken meat stand and harassed and intimidated the owner, telling him that he should not sell halal meat because the area's Hindu population accounts for 99 percent of the population.

The same group went to the Janata hotel and asked for jhatka-cut meat. They insisted that no halal cut meat be sold at the hotel. They got into an argument with a client and assaulted a hotel employee. The hotel and meat business proprietors had filed a police complaint. Vadivelu, Savai Singh, Srikanth, Krishna, Gunda, and two other people were arrested based on two FIRs.

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