Actress Harshika Poonacha recently took to social media to recount a harrowing incident she experienced in Bengaluru, shedding light on safety concerns in the city. In a detailed post and based on the reports from the Mint, she described a distressing encounter that unfolded during a casual dinner outing with her family near the Frazer Town area, igniting discussions about the safety of locals in Bengaluru.
According to Poonacha’s account, the incident occurred at a restaurant named “Karama” on Mosque Road in Pulikeshi Nagar. After completing their dinner, as they retrieved their vehicle from the valet parking, they were confronted by two individuals near the driver’s side window. An argument ensued over the size of the vehicle, escalating into verbal abuse and threats. Poonacha’s husband, despite being provoked, remained composed. However, the situation quickly escalated as more Islamist individuals joined the altercation, with some attempting to snatch Poonacha’s husband’s gold chain. Amidst the chaos, the Islamist assailants resorted to damaging the vehicle and hurling baseless accusations.
Linguistic discrimination of Urdu speaking minorities against natives
One striking aspect of the incident was the assailants’ objection to Poonacha and her husband conversing in Kannada, the local language,while the Islamist assailants were speaking Urdu and Hindu. This led to further agitation, indicating a concerning trend of linguistic discrimination and intolerance.
“My husband brushed it off, saying ‘Innu move maadilwalla side bidi’ (we haven’t moved yet, please move aside now). He inched the vehicle forward slightly, at which point these two men began hurling abuses at him and my family in their language, stating that Kannada people need to be taught a lesson. They even attempted to strike him on the face,” she recounted.
Are we living in Pakistan?
The actress questioned, “Are we residing in PAKISTAN or AFGHANISTAN? Is it deemed unacceptable to converse in my native Kannada and face abuse for it in my own city? How secure are we, truly, in our own city?”The actress poignantly raised questions that resonate deeply with the citizens of Bengaluru.
No response from the police authorities
Despite Poonacha’s attempt to seek assistance by contacting a familiar police inspector, the assailants dispersed before any help arrived. Subsequent interaction with Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh from a nearby police station left Poonacha disappointed, as he appeared indifferent to their plight.
The incident has left Poonacha deeply shaken, and he emphasized the need for swift action from the authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring and to ensure the safety of women and families in the city. Poonacha’s post has sparked widespread concern among residents, prompting a reflection on the state of law and order in Bengaluru. Many have echoed her sentiments, calling for decisive measures to address the underlying issues contributing to such incidents.
In response to Poonacha’s plea, she has urged the Chief Minister of Karnataka and the state police department to take immediate action to address the matter and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
A series of incidents have left Bangalore shaken, particularly targeted crimes against Hindus. Recent activities, especially protests by Kannada organizations, have highlighted the demand for the implementation of Kannada boards and signboards in shops and streets. Despite the Karnataka government’s introduction of the 60% rule, aimed at promoting local employment, religious extremists who speak Urdu and Hindu languages continue to assault native language speakers. This has sparked concerns among local residents about their safety and existential security. Many are questioning how such extremist anti-social elements can freely roam the streets, and where the authorities are in ensuring public safety.
