Twelve Karnataka activists, including four women were arrested for allegedly heckling a woman doctor, for not speaking in Kannada a week ago, police said on 8th November.

"The 12 activists were taken into custody when they surrendered at the City Market police station on the basis of an FIR filed against them a day after the incident on November 1," Assistant Commissioner of Police (south) Vali Basha told IANS. When the activists were produced in a local court, they were granted a conditional bail on furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond each and released.

On November 1, Karnataka Rajyotsava Day, the activists visited Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) in the city centre on behalf of some patients who lost vision in a botched eye operation at the hospital recently. As no senior doctor was available, the activists questioned the duty doctor and post graduate student Neerja who replied to them in English.

"The members took offence to Neerja speaking to them in English on Karnataka Rajyostava day and mobbed her, leading to a heated argument," said Basha. Following the skirmish, the doctors struck work demanding the arrest of activists. "Following the arrest of the activists the doctors called off the strike 5-day strike in the evening," added Basha.