Mangaluru, Jan 16, 2018 : The Congress staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the city on January 16, Tuesday to condemn, what it termed the insult meted out to Tulunad deities and legends by using their portraits at political platforms.
Addressing the protestors, DK District in-charge Minister B Ramanatha Rai challenged the BJP to field a Billawa candidate for the Mangaluru Lok Sabha constituency instead of offending the Billawa community.
Rai further stated that the Congress has given due respect to the Billawa community by celebrating Sri Narayana Guru Jayanthi and also setting up of a Devi Vana at Padumale.
DCC Chief Harish Kumar who also spoke said the Congress has taken strong exception to the BJP act of misusing the names of Tulunad folk legends Koti Chennaya and using the portraits of Tulunad deities in party banners. He further added that the party would appeal to the Election Commission through the Deputy Commissioner to take note of this.
MLC and Chief Whip of Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza, former MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, B H Khader, Shashidhar Hegde, Sabitha Misquith and others took part in the protest.