Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jan 20: "The deputy commissioner inaugurated the Paryaya Mahotsava by hoisting the Bhagavad Dhwaja, but some Congress leaders are allegedly criticizing it by portraying it as if it were the Pakistani flag," said Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna slamming criticism over the issue.

Speaking to the media, MLA Yashpal Suvarna, said that the Paryaya Mahotsava was a sacred event attended by the heads of the Ashta Maths. He pointed out that even during the previous Paryaya, then deputy commissioner Vidyakumari had inaugurated the event by hoisting the Bhagavad Dhwaja. Similarly, this time too, deputy commissioner Swaroop T K inaugurated the Mahotsava by hoisting the Bhagavad Dhwaja. He said, "The Congress party is unable to accept this and that, judging by the nature of their criticism, it appears as though they are suggesting the event was inaugurated with the Pakistani flag."

MLA Yashpal Suvarna further said that the Congress should instead talk about the development of the district. "They have been publicizing that Rs 6 crore was released as grants for the Paryaya Mahotsava, but the Congress must first give a detailed account of how much of that Rs 6 crore was allocated for which purposes and what works were actually carried out." he said. Criticizing the Paryaya Mahotsava without providing such details is inappropriate, he said, adding that the people of Udupi have understood this clearly.