Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 18: Members of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Udupi unit, staged a protest in front of Clock Tower here on Monday, July 17, demanding immediate arrest of state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and Udupi Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje.
Ashraf Jokatte, district SDPI committee member, Mangaluru unit addressing the protestors said, "Earlier, Dakshina Kannada was known for peace and kind people. But now, the scenario has changed. BJP politicians Yeddyurappa and Shobha are using caste and religion for political reasons. BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had threatened to set fire to DK previously. Now, Shobha is planting poisonous seeds in the name of communalism through provocative speeches. The district's political representatives are supposed to do development works, but are creating a fearful atmosphere through words."
"The so called Hindu outfits' activists say that they will set fire to the state if Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat is arrested. Why did the police not arrest who spoke such things to create communal conflict?" questioned Ashraf.
"If Shobha is a true Hindu supporter, why was she silent when Praveen Poojary got murdered? They even alleged that Harish was killed by members of Muslim community. These are all political conspiracies. There were provocative speeches even at Hindu Samajotsav organized in Puttur," he added.
"Shobha said that 23 Hindu youth were killed for communal reasons. But in reality, they were killed for various reasons except a few of them. In the coming days, SDPI will reveal the names of the youth who were truly killed in communal conflicts," informed Ashraf.
Abdul Rehman Malpe delivered the keynote address. Asif Koteshwar presided over the protest meet.
Riyaz Parangipete, state secretary, SDPI; G Rajshekhar, president, Komu Sauharda Vedike; Jayan Malpe, Dalit leader; Hussain Kodibengre, chief secretary, District Muslim Union; Nazeer Ahmed, president, Udupi constituency, and Saleem Kodankoor, secretary, Udupi constituency were present.