Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 5: Amid tensions in the coastal belt of Karnataka, senior Congress leader and MLC B K Hariprasad addressed the media in Mangaluru regarding the recent resignations of Muslim leaders from the Congress party in Dakshina Kannada district.

Hariprasad appealed to the resigned Muslim leaders to withdraw their resignations, stating that he had not come to hold a meeting but was visiting as part of his routine engagements. "Some unfortunate incidents have taken place. No one should lose courage. I have come to speak with our people," he said.

He dismissed speculation about him being appointed as in-charge of any region. "The chief minister’s visit was a matter of courtesy. Let us not turn Mangaluru into another Manipur," he warned. Hariprasad emphasised that while peace prevails in the rest of Karnataka, the disturbances in the coastal region are a cause for concern.

"This is not Uttar Pradesh or Manipur where innocent people are killed. When we asked the authorities to take action, they said the situation had gone slightly out of hand but would be controlled. They asked us to speak with Congress workers," he said.

Hariprasad reiterated his allegiance to justice and the Constitution, and appealed to Congress workers not to lose hope. "We stand with our principles. Those who resigned must now step forward and withdraw them. No one should adopt an extremist mindset," he urged.

"Mangaluru has a good name in Karnataka. Let us not destroy that reputation. I will talk to everyone. We are not ready to lose anyone from the Congress party. The resignations were a result of emotional distress. I request everyone to take them back," he said.

He acknowledged that being in government and failing to act warrants resignations but insisted that Congress has always stood strong on ideology. "Our members who were caught in the situation are innocent, while the real masterminds are still at large. Our people have lost their lives acting as pawns in the hands of these masterminds. We will soon reveal who they are," Hariprasad declared.

He praised the police as good officers and said that when law and order fail, it is the responsibility of the chief minister and home minister to act. "This being a sensitive region, the government is treading carefully. Everything will be alright. I firmly stand with them," he assured.

On the recent RCB victory celebrations in Bengaluru that resulted in unfortunate casualties, Hariprasad remarked, "RCB is neither a state team nor a national team. It is owned by billionaires. I will not speak much about the incident as the CM will respond, but the families of the deceased must be given compensation. Let the billionaires who run the team provide at least Rs 1 crore each to the bereaved families."