2009 Mangalore pub attack

12°52′13″N 74°50′49″E / 12.8704°N 74.8469°E / 12.8704; 74.8469

Video of the attacks

On 24 January 2009, the Sri Ram Sena attacked a group of young women and men in a pub in Mangalore, India.[1][2][3] A group of 40 activists of the Sri Rama Sena barged into the pub "Amnesia – The Lounge" and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women were violating traditional Indian values. Two of the women were hospitalised. The video of the incident has become one of the most watched clips on YouTube, though how the TV crew happened to be ready at the 'unannounced' attack is not known.[4][5]

According to statements of staff at the Amnesia Pub at the Hotel Woodside in the busy Balmatta area of Mangalore, two men approached the front desk of the hotel an hour before the actual attack took place at 4:30 pm on Saturday, reportedly claiming rights to inspect the premises. However, local police officials claimed the hotel staff had not made any reference to an extortion attempt or on previous occasions.[6]

The police also suspect that the real hidden agenda could have been extortion, the fact is that by claiming responsibility, a group will be able to extort money from similar establishments later.[6]

"Whoever has done this has done a good job. Girls going to pubs is not acceptable. So, whatever the Sena members did was right. You are highlighting this small incident to malign the BJP government in the state," said founder Pramod Muthalik.[5]

In 2018, Muthalik along with 24 others were acquitted by the court from the charges related to the pub attack.[7]

  1. ^ "Mangalore pub attack: 17 held, Ram Sena unapologetic". Indiatimes.com. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  2. ^ "Mangalore pub row: Sri Ram Sene men get bail". ibnlive.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  3. ^ "Mangalore pub attack". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 February 2009. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  4. ^ "Young India Vents Anger Over Mangalore Incident on Internet". Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  5. ^ a b "What is Sri Ram Sena?". Archived from the original on 31 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  6. ^ a b Rama Sene, Bajrang Dal vie for ‘credit,’ extortion under scan – 27 January 2009, The Indian Express
  7. ^ "9 Years After Mangaluru Pub Attack, Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik, 24 Others Acquitted". 13 March 2018.