On August 1, 2026, in Mangaluru, the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee protested near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Rajaji Park, calling for the arrest of Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna over his comments about Rahul Gandhi. Senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai addressed the gathering, criticizing the BJP for promoting leaders who engage in hate speech. He argued that this approach has allowed individuals like Yashpal Suvarna to receive election tickets. Rai urged that a criminal case be filed against the MLA for his remarks and demanded his immediate arrest and disqualification from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Rai also referenced Rahul Gandhi’s protest against the NEET question paper leak, stating that attempts were made to portray him as anti-national. Congress leader M. G. Hegde criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on abusive remarks against women, including Sonia Gandhi. The protest saw Congress workers burning an effigy of Yashpal Suvarna and raising slogans demanding action against him. The demonstration was attended by several Congress leaders, including Harish Kumar, J. R. Lobo, and Mithun Rai.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalore Today