Congress protests in Mangaluru, demands arrest of Yashpal Suvarna over Rahul Gandhi remarks

Congress protests in Mangaluru, demands arrest of Yashpal Suvarna over Rahul Gandhi remarks

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 1, 2026: The Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee on Saturday staged a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Rajaji Park in Mangaluru, demanding the arrest of Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna over his remarks against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing the protesters, senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai alleged that while the Congress rewards those committed to public service, the BJP encourages leaders who indulge in hate speech. He claimed that such an approach had enabled leaders like Yashpal Suvarna to secure election tickets.

Rai demanded that a criminal case be registered against the MLA for his remarks against Rahul Gandhi, and called for his immediate arrest and disqualification from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s protest against the NEET question paper leak, Rai alleged that attempts were made to portray him as anti-national. "In my opinion, those who failed to support the students protesting against the paper leak are the real anti-nationals," he said.

Congress leader M. G. Hegde also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he had remained silent when women, including Sonia Gandhi and female relatives of several activists, were subjected to abusive and defamatory remarks on social media.

He questioned why the Prime Minister expressed outrage over remarks against his own mother but did not respond when women were allegedly targeted by members of his own party.

During the protest, Congress workers burned an effigy of Yashpal Suvarna in the middle of the road and raised slogans demanding action against the MLA.

Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president Harish Kumar, along with leaders J. R. Lobo, Mithun Rai, Inayat Ali, Padmaraj Poojary, Shalet Pinto and Appi, among others, participated in the demonstration.