Pics: Sumanth Poojary

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Aug 28: The Udupi District Youth Congress has claimed that the third accused in the Karkala rape case, Abhay, is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and various Hindu-supporting organizations.

Yogish Acharya, President of the Karkala Block Congress, addressed the media at a press meet held at the Udupi Press Club on August 28. He stated, “On the day the BJP held a protest about the case, Udupi SP held a press conference in the evening and announced the arrest of Abhay, the third accused in the rape case. It has been proven that Abhay supplied drugs to the rape victim. Abhay is a Hindu and also a BJP party worker. He is seen in photographs alongside a BJP MLA and has a cover photo of Sunil Kumar, MLA, on his social media account.”

Yogish Acharya further added, “When the first accused, Altaf, was arrested, the BJP went into overdrive. The victim was portrayed as a Hindu, the rape case was depicted as a 'jihadi' act, and a series of protests and press statements were issued, with demands for an NIA probe. Sunil Kumar's satanic mentality has indirectly encouraged Hindu youths to commit rape, suggesting that the country does not value Hindu youths enough if they set their minds to it. What is the difference between a rapist and them?”

Deepak Kotian, President of the Udupi District Youth Congress, demanded clarification on whether the BJP is truly a supporter of Hindus or if the Congress is against them. Addressing the Karkala rape case, he said, “The Karkala rape case must be investigated thoroughly, without any bias, to provide justice to the victim. The BJP's focus on the rape was a tactic to distract from controversies surrounding the Parashuram bronze statue.”

Also present at the press meet were Sourab Ballal, President of Karkala Udupi District NSUI; Sajjan Shetty, secretary of Udupi Block; Arjun, president of Brahmavar Block Youth Congress; and Ramesh Kanchan, president of Udupi Block Congress.