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Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jul 31: "How can Yashpal Suvarna destroy Rahul Gandhi when the Gandhi family has shed its blood for this nation?" said Niketh Raj Maurya during the protest staged by the Udupi District Congress at the Jatka Stand in Udupi on July 31 condemning the alleged hate speech made by Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

KPCC spokesperson Niketh Raj Maurya said, “Yashpal Suvarna's hate speech has been heard across the country, and it reflects his upbringing. We respect him because we belong to the Gandhi family of ideology, whereas he follows the Godse family of ideology. We will never use the kind of language he used because we believe in the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. We pray that God gives Yashpal Suvarna good sense. Loving humanity is dharma; spreading hatred is adharma."

Continuing he said, "How can Yashpal Suvarna destroy Rahul Gandhi when the Gandhi family has shed its blood for this nation? A family that was ready to sacrifice its lives for the country cannot be erased. We only pray that such a hateful mentality is destroyed. The fear that Godse had of Mahatma Gandhi is the same fear they have today. The fear Narendra Modi showed after the students' protests is the same fear reflected in Yashpal Suvarna's statements. Blind followers may be misled repeatedly, but not everyone can be fooled forever. Those whom you called 'cockroaches' have now become 'tigers'. Students and the families of the alleged NEET scam victims will teach Yashpal Suvarna a lesson in the next election.”

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake alleged that the Congress protest had forced the BJP leadership to respond. He said Udupi has traditionally been a district known for communal harmony and accused Yashpal Suvarna of attempting to sow hatred. Vinay Kumar Sorake also criticised the MLA, alleging that he lacked political maturity.

Campaign Committee convener Sudheer Maroli, said, “Yashpal Suvarna made those statements only to secure a party ticket. I spoke to some of my friends in the BJP, and even they said he spoke irresponsibly. He lacks the body language and decorum expected while addressing the public. He called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict, but I feel it was Yashpal Suvarna who must have been under the influence of some local narcotic substance when he made those remarks. MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, who usually speaks on every issue, remained silent despite Yashpal's comments. Yashpal Suvarna is a rowdy element, and unfortunately, such a person has been made an MLA,” said Sudheer Maroli, convener of the campaign committee.”

Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Shubodh Rao alleged that Yashpal Suvarna made the controversial remarks because Rahul Gandhi had extended support to students protesting the alleged NEET scam. "Even after 21 students died by suicide, not a single BJP leader expressed condolences," he claimed.

As part of the protest, Congress workers threw eggs at a poster of MLA Yashpal Suvarna and later set fire to a banner bearing his image after sprinkling it with a combustible substance.

Udupi District Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Congress leaders Manjunath Poojary, Gopal Poojary, Dinesh Hegde Molahalli, Muniyal Uday Kumar Shetty, Krishnamoorthy Acharya, Prasadraj Kanchan, Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, Udupi Block Congress president Ramesh Kanchan, Udupi District Mahila Congress president Jyothi Hebbar and several party leaders were present during the protest.