Udupi: The Udupi district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a large-scale protest near Jathka Stand on Monday, condemning what it described as the Congress party’s “goonda culture” and alleged anti-national policies. The demonstration, organised by various BJP organisational wings, saw party workers raising slogans against the Congress and the CJP while demanding action over recent protests linked to the NEET issue.
Workers from different BJP morchas, cells and mandals participated in the protest. As part of a symbolic demonstration, party workers sprayed insecticide on toy “cockroaches” to express their opposition to the CJP and the Congress.
Yashpal Suvarna criticises Congress
Addressing the gathering, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna alleged that the Congress was attempting to create unrest in the country through its political campaigns. He criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he lacked a clear political stand and accusing the Congress of pursuing politics against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The MLA also alleged that the Congress had aligned itself with a party linked to the organisation responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Referring to the recent NEET-related protests, Suvarna claimed that many of those who participated were not students and alleged that verifying the backgrounds of the protesters would reveal the facts. He further alleged that recent developments had exposed the difference between “patriots” and “anti-national elements.”
Suvarna also made personal remarks against Rahul Gandhi and warned that BJP workers would respond if such politics continued.
Remarks on Manipal protests
The MLA said educational institutions in Manipal enjoyed a strong reputation but alleged that students were being exposed to “wrong ideologies.”
He criticised the police, alleging that they had failed to take appropriate action in connection with the student protests in Manipal. He further claimed that influential individuals were backing the demonstrations.
Describing the BJP protest as a “final warning”, Suvarna also made remarks against actor Prakash Raj, alleging that the actor was attempting to unite artistes to spread discord. He warned that if Prakash Raj visited the coastal region and made provocative statements, BJP workers would respond.
Sunil Kumar attacks state government
Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar alleged that the Congress had no faith in democracy, the Constitution or the rule of law. He said the BJP would not tolerate attempts to create anarchy under the guise of public protests.
The former minister also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). He claimed that reports of recruitment irregularities were surfacing frequently and alleged that audio recordings had revealed large-scale monetary transactions in recruitment processes.
Sunil Kumar said he had raised the issue in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and urged the state government to order an immediate investigation into the allegations.
Criticism over law and order
Reacting to the notice issued to former minister C.T. Ravi, Sunil Kumar accused the state government of focusing on social media posts instead of addressing serious law and order issues.
He alleged that crimes such as robberies, murders and attacks on police personnel required greater attention and claimed that BJP leaders and Hindu organisations were being selectively targeted.
He further stated that Parliament was the appropriate forum to discuss national issues and criticised the Congress for allegedly preferring protests over parliamentary debate. According to him, democratic protests should not result in violence, attacks on police personnel or incidents of stone-pelting.
Senior BJP leaders attend protest
The protest was organised jointly by various organisational wings of the BJP.
Among those present were MLAs Gurme Suresh Shetty, Kiran Kumar Kodgi and Gururaj Gantihole, Udupi district BJP president Kutiyar Naveen Shetty, and party leaders Srikanth Naik, Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, Uday Kumar Shetty and several other office-bearers and workers.
The protest concluded after party leaders reiterated their demand for action against those allegedly involved in recent unrest and affirmed that the BJP would continue to oppose what it described as anti-national activities.