BJP leaders and workers taken into custody during protest against Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru

BJP leaders R. Ashok, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and party workers staging a protest in Bengaluru on Monday.

Several BJP leaders and party workers were taken into custody by the Bengaluru police on Monday after a protest march against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped outside Freedom Park.

The protest was organised in response to remarks made by Mr. Kharge during a public address in Patna, Bihar, which the BJP alleged were derogatory towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP leaders demanded an unconditional public apology from the Congress chief.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok; Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy; Lehar Singh Siroya, Rajya Sabha MP; and former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan led dozens of party workers in a dharna at Freedom Park.

Tension prevailed when the protesters attempted to move beyond the designated protest area and march onto the adjoining main road. The police personnel deployed at the spot blocked their way using barricades.

When some protesters allegedly tried to push past the barricades, the police intervened and took senior BJP leaders and several party workers into custody. They were subsequently taken away in police transport vehicles and were released later.