Mangaluru: MLA U T Khader has demanded that the police book a suo motu case against those who put up banners that could trigger communal incidents.

Khader told the media here on Tuesday, that miscreants have been putting up banners that create rifts between people in Dakshina Kannada.

“A banner that indirectly banned people of other faiths from conducting business was sighted at the annual festival of Ullalabailu Daivasthana in Ullal. However, the police immediately removed the banner. Such acts of hatred can be stopped effectively, by booking suo motu cases against those putting them up,” Khader said, and urged the police not to wait for complaints.

He also sought action against the printing agency that printed the banner found at Ullalabailu. “People of different faiths in Ullalabailu live harmoniously. People of all communities set up shops during the annual festival in Ullal every year. Now, some miscreants are trying to divide the people on religious lines.

A case should be booked against those who put up the banner, and the printer who printed the banner. The licence of the printer should also be cancelled. Everyone has the right to conduct business in public places,” Khader said, referring to the banner.