Bengaluru: Hundreds of Policemen and other security forces stood guard at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park this morning to ensure that the BJP does not succeed in carrying out its controversial “Mangaluru Chalo.”  There were also clashes between the BJP men and Police at the venue after party leaders and workers gathered there.

This, after the BJP was denied permission by the local Police to carry on with its protest plans, despite senior leaders of the party meeting newly-appointed Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy to seek requisite permissions to carry out the rally. The Bengaluru Police put in place prohibitory orders late yesterday, while Mangaluru Police have denied permission to hold the rally.

“This is an undeclared emergency,” R. Ashok, a senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Home Minister, said. He said that Siddharamaiah was displaying “(Adolf) Hitler’s mentality” to stop the BJP from carrying out its protests against the recent attacks and killings of its party members across the State.

He warned the Police if they arrest BJP workers. “Dual tone being used by cops by requesting leaders to not step out and also arresting those who are on the streets in protest,” he said.

Mysuru Kodagu MP Pratap Simha said despite the “involvement of KFD and PFI activists in a number of murders”, including that of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist Sharath Madiwal, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah had not taken action to ban the organisations. “The State government, by preventing us from taking out the rally is denying us our democratic right. The government’s anti-Hindu stand is exposed,” he said.