Activists of Muslim voluntary forum protest Madani's arrest by Karnataka police

Coimbatore, Aug.23 (ANI): Over 300 activists of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), a Muslim voluntary forum, staged a protest here on Monday against the Karnataka Police for arresting Abdul Nasser Madani, leader of the regional People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Madani is an accused in the 2008 Bangalore serial blast case.

The protestors blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party and its parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh for creating misunderstanding with such an arrest about Muslims in the country.

Saddiq, Deputy Secretary of TMMK, said that with Madani's arrest, it is being projected that Muslims were responsible for the bomb blasts in the country.

"In connection with 2008 Bangalore bomb blast case, the Kerala's (PDP) People's Democratic Party leader, Abdul Nazeer Madani, has been arrested by the Karnataka Police. In its background, the Sangh Parivar plays an important role," said Saddiq, Deputy Secretary of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnettra Kazhagam.

He further stated that: "Moreover it is made clear all over the country that RSS is behind the various bomb blasts that took place all over the nation, with this the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is trying to criticise the Muslims by arresting Muslim youth and leaders and creating a myth among the people that Muslims are responsible for the bomb blasts. That is why the Karnataka government arrested Abdul Nazeer Madani."

"We, the TMMK, strongly condemn this act and to condemn this act, today (August 23) we are staging a demonstration here and this protest will continue all over the state," he stated.

Carrying black and white flags, the protestors raised anti-government slogans.

Abdul Nasser Madani, the leader of the regional People's Democratic Party (PDP), was arrested on August 17 from Kerala as the key accused in the 2008 Bangalore blast case.

He was later remanded to police custody till August 26.

Madani was detained for his suspected role in bomb explosions that took place in Bangalore city on July 25, 2008 in which one person was killed and 20 others were injured.

Madani has been charged for organising militant activities and having links with outlawed ultra organizations, including Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Madani is also charged for delivering inflammatory speeches, inviting several police cases against him.

After spending nine years behind bars in connection with the 1998 bomb blasts in Coimbatore, Madani was released from jail in 2007. (ANI)