Bangalore :  Sriram Sene chief Pramod Mutalik and five others arrested on Friday by Ulsoor Gate police for allegedly assaulting Bangalore University Distance Education Department Director Dr B R Niranjan. 

 Mutalik’s supporters staged a protest in front of the police station and condemned the arrest.

The Distance Education Department had conducted degree examinations in August and September. However, the University had to cancel the examination as there were reports of exam malpractices at Davangere, Koppal, Chitradurga and other districts.

On Friday, Mutalik and his followers barged into Dr Niranjan’s office and demanded a re-examination on December 26.

They allegedly threw chairs on Niranjan and slapped him on his face. Dr Niranjan promised to conduct the examination in the Centres at Davangere, Koppal and Chitradurga districts if CCTV cameras were installed.

However, Mutalik and his men allegedly assaulted him, said the police. They also destroyed a photocopier and a telephone instrument.

University Registrar Prof B C Mylarappa condemned the incident and wrote to the Ulsoor Gate police urging action against Mutalik and his men.

The situation turned tense following the incident as a huge crowd gathered on the spot.

The police rushed to the spot controlled the situation. Some Sriram Sene activists raised slogans against Bangalore University, the Vice Chancellor and Dr Niranjan.