Pics: Niranjan M N
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jul 28: The Udupi district Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a large-scale protest near Jathka Stand in Udupi on Sunday, July 28, condemning what it described as the Congress party's "goonda culture" and alleged anti-national policies.
Workers from various BJP morchas, cells, and mandals participated in the demonstration, raising slogans against the Congress and CJP. During the protest, party workers symbolically sprayed insecticide on toy "cockroaches" to express their anger.
Addressing the protest organised against the Congress over the NEET issue, mla Yashpal Suvarna alleged that the Congress was attempting to create unrest in the country. He also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming he lacked a clear political stand, and accused the party of carrying out politics against prime minister Narendra Modi. He further alleged that the Congress had aligned with a party linked to the organisation responsible for the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Referring to the recent NEET-related protests, Yashpal Suvarna claimed that most of those who participated were not students and alleged that verifying the protesters' backgrounds would reveal the truth. He also alleged that recent developments had exposed who the "patriots" and "anti-national elements" were, while making personal remarks against Rahul Gandhi. He warned that BJP workers would respond if such politics continued.
Yashpal Suvarna said the institutions in Manipal commanded respect but alleged that students were being exposed to “wrong ideologies.” He further criticised the police, alleging they had failed to take appropriate action in connection with student protests in Manipal, and claimed that influential individuals were backing the protests.
Calling the BJP protest “a final warning,” Yashpal Suvarna made controversial remarks against actor Prakash Raj, alleging that the actor was attempting to unite artistes to spread discord. He warned that if Prakash Raj visited the coastal region and made provocative statements, he would face severe consequences.
Meanwhile, Karkala mla Sunil Kumar alleged that the Congress had no faith in democracy, the Constitution, or the rule of law, and said the BJP would not tolerate attempts to create anarchy in the name of protests.
Sunil Kumar alleged that irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) were surfacing almost daily, causing concern among government job aspirants. He claimed to have raised the issue in the assembly and alleged that audio recordings had exposed large-scale monetary transactions in recruitments. He urged the state government to order an immediate investigation.
Reacting to the notice issued to former minister C T Ravi, Sunil Kumar alleged that the state government's priorities had shifted, accusing the home department of focusing on social media posts instead of addressing crimes such as robberies, murders, and attacks on police personnel. He also alleged that BJP leaders and Hindu organisations were being selectively targeted.
Sunil Kumar said that discussions in Parliament were the appropriate way to resolve issues and criticised the Congress for allegedly boycotting debates in favour of protests. He maintained that protests should not result in violence, attacks on police, or stone-pelting.
mlas Gurme Suresh Shetty, Kiran Kumar Kodgi, and Gururaj Gantihole, Udupi district BJP president Kutiyar Naveen Shetty, BJP leaders Srikanth Naik, Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, Uday Kumar Shetty, and others were also present during the protest, which was held as a joint initiative of various organisational wings of the party.