'Pink chaddi' campaign a perverted act: Muthalik

Irked by the 'pink chaddi' campaign against him following his threat to disrupt Valentine's Day celebrations, Sri Ram Sena leader Pramod Muthalik has said he would soon sue the rights activists behind it.

Terming the action of protesters a "perverted act", Muthalik told reporters that a 25-member advocates team comprising women has been formed to file defamation cases against the senders of "panties parcel".

Rights activists across the country had despatched "pink chaddi" consignments addressed to Muthalik at his Hubli headquarters on February 14, when the right wing Sena leader was cooling his heels in a Gulbarga jail following his arrest.

In all the Sena chief received 1,500 pink panties.

Muthalik claimed that the outfit's tirade against pub culture and Valentine's Day has brought it into focus. Demands have been to open Sena's branches outside Karnataka, he said.

Muthalik, whose men by attacking women at a Mangalore pub on January 24 had sparked nationwide protests, said that the Sena would not take law into its hands and peacefully protest against pub culture.

Muthalik also said he would write to the state government to take action against illegal pubs.

Hitting out at the state government for filing criminal cases against him in connection with the "pub attack", he said, "Of the 54 cases filed against me, courts have acquitted me in 41 cases. I will be acquitted in the remaining cases also".

After facing heat on pub attack issue and the threats to disrupt Valentine's Day, the Sene has now set its eyes on 'Datta Peeta' in Bababudanagiri shrine in Chikmagalur district where Hindus and Muslims worship.

Muthalik said an executive meeting of the Sene, scheduled at Belgaum today, would set a date for "karseva" at Datta Peeta, where Sangh Parivar outfits have been demanding pooja rights to Hindus.

Various issues, including the Sena, strategy towards pub culture would be decided, he said.