Bengaluru: I went out to support friend Amulya Leona, arrested graphic designer tells police

BENGALURU: Ardra Narayanan (in pic), the graphic designer arrested on Friday for displaying a controversial placard, planned the protest to show support for friend Amulya Leona Noronha, who faces a sedition charge over an alleged pro-Pakistan chant, police said on Saturday.
Ardra, 24, held a banner with the message: "Muslim, Dalit, Kashmiri, Bahujan, Adivasi, Trans Liberation Now". She has reportedly told the SJ Park police that this demonstration was meant to counter protests by right-wing organisations against Amulya at Town Hall.The two are friends and share similar views.
"I went to the spot with the placard knowing that these people (right-wing and Kannada organisations) were protesting and wanted to counter it by extending support to Amulya," Ardra said in a statement, according to SJ Park police, who quoted some portions from it.
Ardra has been booked under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language) and 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the Indian Penal Code. Ardra has been remanded in judicial custody till March 5.
Officers visited Ardra's paying guest accommodation in CV Raman Nagar and recovered some pieces of cardboard and paint, which was used to make the placard. They added they were trying to identify the organisation and individuals who allegedly provoked Ardra.