Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Feb 21: “If minister Eshwarappa has the guts let him hoist the saffron flag on his government car. The Governor who has a bounden duty of protecting the Constitution, should consider this matter seriously and sack Eshwarappa with immediate effect and file a case of treason against him,” said Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president of District Congress Committee.He was addressing a gathering at a protest by the District Block Congress Committee on Monday, February 21 near the War Memorial at Ajjarkad in the city against minister Eshwarappa for "insulting the National Flag."

Speaking further, Ashok said, “BJP members always speak about Hindutva, Constitution and patriotism. They are dividing this nation on the basis of religion and caste. They are trying to uproot the Constitution. Gandhiji’s birthday is celebrated by the BJP but it is against him by heart."

“Our Tricolour is reminiscent of how we got our independence but minister Eshwarappa recently stated that they will hoist Bhagwa saffron flag on Red Fort. This is a dangerous and an anti- national statement. Our Tricolour flag is the emblem of the freedom, unity, sovereignty and the Constitution of our country. The citizens of India are shocked by Eshwarappa's statement. That is why the Congress is demanding the sacking of Eshwarappa immediately from the state cabinet and registering a case of treason against him. This is why we are holding a day-night agitation at the Vidhana Soudha", said Ashok.

Ashok opined that those who loved India would not tolerate such seditious statements that destabilize the country and insult the national emblems.

"There is no question of any sort of compromise in case of such serious violations. It is impossible to fathom that a person who has insulted the National Flag still continues to be a minister in the cabinet. So the governor should uphold the Constitution and direct the state government to sack minister Eshwarappa from the cabinet post,” demanded Ashok.

Congress leaders Kushal Shetty, Bhaskar Rao Kidiyoor, Kishan Hegde Kolkebail, Udyavar Nagesh Kumar, Shabbir Ahmed, Prakhyath Shetty, Harish Shetty Pangala, Kirthi Shetty, Prashanth Jathanna, Yathish Karkera, Ramesh Kanchan, Murali Shetty, Ganesh Nergi, Gopalkrishna Shetty, Laxmana Poojary, Vijaya Poojary, Upendra Mendon, Narayana Kunder, Vatsala Vinod, Suresh Kumar, Prashant Poojary, Sathish Manchi, Laxmana Shetty, Sooraj Kalmadi, Sairaj and Dion were present at the protest.