Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 12: With reference to the Hijab controversy which started in the city and snowballed into a major controversy, local MLA Raghupati Bhat, said that he has been getting frequent calls from foreign countries and through internet calls, which are in the form of threat to his life. He said that callers have been warning him that they will target him, and asking him not to assert himself in the presence of Muslims.

It is said that many callers told him that they know how to tame him. Several of the calls were also received from local numbers, Bhat, who informed the state home minister about the development, stated.

The MLA said that he has faced such threats many times in the past. He said that not a single Muslim from Udupi district has opposed his stand and that the Muslims of Udupi and Bengaluru are backing him on this issue. "Right from my childhood, I have come across such threats. Qazis of Muslim Union Udupi have extended support to me. They have said that my stand is justified. I have God on my side and he will look after my safety. Udupi district superintendent of police, Vishnuvardhan, called me. People of my constituency are my security guards. No individual or organization from here has posed threats to me. A mentally unsound man called me from Hyderabad. I answered all his doubts and allegations for 20 minutes. In fact, Muslims have no problems with this issue but some people have misguided six girls," he stated.

He said that he has been getting threats through internet calls, phone, WhatsApp, Facebook etc. He added that other than uniforms, he has not discussed any other issues during these calls.