Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Sep 29: "Dakshina Kannada Youth Congress will hold a padayatra on Tuesday, September 29 against immoral goondaism in the district. District-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai will flag-off the rally," said Mithun Rai, president of Dakshina Kannada Youth Congress.

He was addressing the press meet at district Congress office here on Monday, September 28.

"The rally will commence from Gandhi Statue at Lalbhag at 2.30 pm and proceed to Kankanady Maidan. Religious heads from various communities will speak on this occasion. IT industries, employers and students from various places are not ready to come to the district because of the immoral goondaisim supported by the Sangh Parivar. Hence this rally is organized to create awareness among the youth against communalism. These communal incidents have hindered the development of the district."

Speaking on the controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's signature on a flag, Mithun Rai challenged BJP and said, "BJP had protested and filed FIR against me after the Youth Congress flag was hoisted on a national flag pole. After the incident I apologised for the act. If they are true patriots, let them file FIR against Narendra Modi for his signature on Indian national flag and hold protest against him. This is my challenge to them. This incident is a black mark."

When questioned why the Youth Congress took so long to hold this padayatra against immoral goondaism , Mithun Rai said that Youth Congress had condemned all the incidents at appropriate time.

Asked about if the Congress government failed to curb the repetitive immoral goondaisim in the district, Mithun Rai said "It is not the failure of state government. State government has taken necessary steps to curtail this. Communalism is like communicable disease. It should be prevented."

Also asked the communal activities and immoral goondaisim comparatively during BJP and Congress governments in the state, "This is not protest against the government. We are creating awareness among the youth against communalism. Government has taken proper action against such incidents. These types of communal incidents are not predictable and they have to be curtailed as they are diseases."

On being asked will the Youth Congress support the Yethinahole protest and will the Youth Congress lead the campaign in creating awareness against the project, Mithun said "District Youth Congress is against the project and will support the struggle. We will hold internal meeting before deciding about the campaign."