Udupi, October 12: Prashanth Jathanna, Director of the Karnataka State Christian Development Corporation, today leveled a serious accusation against Pramod Muthalik, alleging he instigated the recent Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) protest outside St. Agnes College in Mangaluru. The protest concerned exam scheduling during Dasara holidays, and Jathanna condemned the targeting of minority institutions.
Addressing the issue, Jathanna emphasized that Navaratri celebrations are universally respected, transcending caste and religious divides, and face no opposition. He clarified that the Mangaluru University system typically does not grant additional Dasara holidays beyond Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami. Furthermore, St. Agnes College, as an autonomous institution, holds the government-granted authority to determine its own exam dates. Jathanna also confirmed that no examinations were scheduled on official government holidays.
Despite these facts, Jathanna asserted that the protest aimed to create societal unrest, driven by the instigation of certain vested interests. He urged both the police department and the government to initiate appropriate legal action against those responsible. Specifically, Jathanna called for police intervention against the ABVP leaders who participated in the demonstration and contributed to the disturbance.
He recalled that just a few days prior, Pramod Muthalik held a press conference in Mangaluru where he issued threats against Christian educational institutions regarding Dasara holidays. Jathanna contended that the police should have acted decisively against Muthalik at that time, preventing the subsequent protest at St. Agnes College. He described disturbing social peace through communal incitement as Muthalik's "constant and continuous work."
In his statement, Prashanth Jathanna made a strong appeal to the police department for immediate and strict action against individuals and organizations that sow hatred among innocent students. He stressed the importance of protecting students' future through education and called for adequate security to be provided to all Christian educational institutions.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi