Bhatkal: The BJP on Friday held a protest rally in Bhatkal over the demolition of a newly built under-construction “Murin Katte” structure near Nawayath Colony along the National Highway, with Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and several party leaders participating in the demonstration.

Addressing the gathering, R. Ashok accused the Congress government of hurting Hindu religious sentiments and criticised the administration over the demolition of the structure.

Ashok alleged that the state government was failing to maintain balance in handling religious issues and warned that the BJP would continue democratic protests if religious beliefs and places of worship were targeted. He also urged the administration to rebuild the Murin Katte structure within a month, stating that the agitation would be intensified otherwise.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said atrocities against Hindu faith and places of worship would not be tolerated and asserted that the struggle would continue until the Murin Katte structure was rebuilt.

The protest rally began from the Old Bus Stand and proceeded along the National Highway before concluding outside the Mini Vidhana Soudha building.

Protesters raised slogans demanding reconstruction of the structure and criticised the Congress government and minister Mankal Vaidya.

Former minister Shivanand Naik, and leaders Sunil Naik, Rupali Naik, Sunil Hegde and Govind Naik were among those present.

Later, a BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya.