Bengaluru: Three persons attacked Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait in a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru on Monday. Three persons smeared the Tikait face with black ink and tried to hit him with a mic, when he was about to address a press conference.

Bengaluru police arrested three persons who attacked on Tikait. According to the police they were upset with Tikait and others for not talking in Kannada and also for attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their speeches. The arrested have been identified as Bharath Shetty, Pradeep and Shivakumar, members of Karnataka Sangatanegala Okkoota.

Tikait, along with other leaders was at Gandhi Bhavan to take part at around 11 am,  in an event. Farmer’s Movement: Introspection and Clarification over allegations against state farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar that he took bribes to end farmers’ protests on Delhi border. A woman farmer leader Kavitha Kuragunti, was speaking in Telugu, a group of people demanded that she speak in Kannada. At that time, the three accused charged at Tikait and splashed ink on his face and tried to hit him on the head with a mic. Tikait however protected himself by holding the mic with his hand. High drama prevailed at the venue as it led to a clash between two groups who indulged in throwing plastic chairs at each other.

Another BKU leader Yudhvir Singh, who was sitting next to Tikait, was also smeared with black ink. The High Grounds police rushed to the scene and took the three attackers into custody. Later speaking to reporters, Tikait alleged that the violence was carried out in collusion with the BJP-led Government in the state. He said no security was provided by the local police. The police said the accused were produced before a judge following which they taken been into custody for further questioning.