BENGALURU: Anticipating a law and order “concern”, elaborate security arrangements have been made in

as a

protest march ‘Kanakapura Chalo’ is set for a showdown with locals on the proposed installation of 114-foot tall Jesus

atop Kapalabetta in Harobele village of the taluk in Ramaganara district.

superintendent of police Anoop A Shetty said adequate deployment of police force has been made for the protest march to be held between 11 am and 1 pm.

“Permission for the peaceful protest has been granted and required measures have been taken to ensure law and order during the march,” Shetty said.

Sources said about 1,000 police personnel have been deployed, with teams headed by 10 police inspectors and 30 sub-inspectors formed for the purpose.

About 5,000 activists representing the

(RSS),

(VHP), Hindu Jagaran Vedike (HJV) and other right wing organisations are expected to take part in the march.

ideologue and RSS functionary Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat is expected to lead the march and address the gathering.

“The rally is going to be peaceful as our objective is to appeal to the government to stop the installation of Christ statue on Kapalabetta. We want to stop it, since it goes against the spirit of communal harmony and encourages religious conversions which is rampantly carried out by Christian missionaries,” Prabhakar Bhat said.

The Jesus Christ statue row made headlines after former minister and senior Congress functionary DK Shivakumar, who represents Kanakapura assembly segment, laid foundation stone for the statue on Christmas day.

BJP leaders cried foul as they pointed out that the 10 acres sanctioned for the purpose is gomala— land reserved for cattle grazing.

While revenue minister R Ashoka stated the government would take back the land, district administration has already conducted spot inspections and slapped two notices to Harobele Kapalabetta Development Trust, which is proposing to install the statue.

“We have replied to one of the two notices. The second reply will be submitted on Monday,” said Chinnaraju, member of the Harobele Kapalabetta Development Trust.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar has appealed to people of Kananakapura to maintain peace during the march.

“I request you not to get provoked. As politically motivated forces are behind the march and they may try to disturb communal harmony in Kanakapura which is known for peace and amenity,” Shivakumar said in his video message.