Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, May 5: “Satyajit Suratkal, the Billawa leader and voice of the oppressed, is being insulted by the MLA of Beltangady and his followers. If this continues, in addition to legal action, severe protests by the Billawa community will be held,” warned Sri Gurunarayana Swamy Seva Sangha, Yuva Billawa Vedike and Yuvavahini Ghataka.

Speaking at a press conference, Prasad M K said, “MLA Harish Poonja is pushing around the Billawa community for the past five years. Continuing the same, Satyajit Suratkal is abused with vulgar and cheap words on the fake Facebook account of Prakash Kotian. This is unpardonable. In the cover photo of this fake Facebook account, the photos of MLA Harish Poonja and district vice president of BJP Harikrishna Bantwal are present. Several times, this account makes posts that is creating rift between the Billawa and oppressed communities.

“Satyajit Suratkal did not seek vote in favour of any party or person in the constituency of Beltangady. Instead, he had sought votes in his capacity as the state president of Narayana Guru Vichara Vedike. He is committed to seek votes in other constituencies if there are candidates representing our community.

“Satyajit Suratkal is independent and he is not having responsibility of any political party or Hindu organizations. He is working for the development of the Billawa community. He seeks vote for Billawa community candidates by visiting the houses of prominent Billawa leaders. He never speaks about the party. He is not in favour of any political party.

“MLA Harish Poonja got forest officer of Billava community Sandhya transferred to a far off place due to ulterior motives. Though there is an opportunity to restart the Kambala sport in the taluk, that is stopped long ago, he failed in his attempt to hijack the Kambala that is being conducted under the leadership of K Vasanta Bangera and Nitish Kotian. Harish Poonja did not give any response on the matter of not allowing Narayanaguru tableau and lessons in school text books. He has invited Jagadish Adhikari, who insulted Koti Chennaya, as the chief guest of a function. He also invited Rohit Chakratheertha to Venur Brahmakalasha in spite of severe opposition by the Billawa community. When Billawas were not allowed to enter Konalu Daivasthana at Uppinangady, as an MLA, Harish Poonja did not take any action or support the community. He has also formed a separate group of Billawas in the name of BJP and trying to create rift in the community. All are observing the manner in which Poonja has behaved with the Billawa community. We condemn his and his followers’ ways of oppressing the Billawa community,” he said.

Chidananda Poojary, Nitish H, Ashwath Kumar, Sunil Kanyadi and Madhava Poojary were present.