Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jul 30: The Udupi District Congress condemned the alleged remarks made by Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna during a BJP protest held on July 28 and announced that the party would stage a protest at the Jataka Stand in Udupi on July 31.

Addressing a press conference held at Udupi Press Club on July 30, Udupi District Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor alleged that the NEET examination controversy and the subsequent police action against protesting students in New Delhi had sparked widespread outrage across the country.

He claimed that the protest by students was peaceful but alleged that BJP workers assaulted the protesters. Referring to the alleged NEET examination irregularities, he said several students had lost their lives by suicide following the controversy and described the police action against the protesters as inhuman.

Ashok Kumar Kodavoor further said, “Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had extended support to the agitating students, following which the BJP organised a protest against him in Udupi. During that protest, MLA Yashpal Suvarna made derogatory remarks, including a statement referring to the demolition of the Babri Masjid.” Describing the remarks as unacceptable, he said the Congress had initiated legal action against the MLA and would organise a protest on July 31 demanding accountability.

Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde also criticised the alleged lathi charge and rubber bullet firing on students protesting in Delhi, calling the police action inhuman. He said the opposition parties had expressed solidarity with the students in view of the incident. He alleged that the statement attributed to MLA Yashpal Suvarna regarding the demolition of the Babri Masjid was unacceptable and urged the legislator to exercise restraint while making public statements. He also appealed to elected representatives to uphold the law, stating that lawmakers should not become lawbreakers.

Congress leader Prasadraj Kanchan questioned whether the MLA was more concerned about demands for the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan or about the students who were allegedly injured during the protests. He criticised the MLA for allegedly targeting students and educational institutions instead of addressing the issues raised by the protesters.

Udupi District Mahila Congress president Jyothi Hebbar, Congress leader Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, Udupi district KPCC Campaign Committee president Harish Kini, Udupi Block Congress president Ramesh Kanchan and others were present during the press conference.