The Hindu : Gowda's reported remarks draw all-round criticism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 14, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Gowda's reported remarks draw all-round criticism

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Sept. 13. The State unit of the BJP today staged a demonstration near the Basaveshwara statue here demanding a public apology from the Janata Dal (S) President and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, for reportedly saying that Lingayats and Vokkaligas ate beef.

The BJP leaders, who addressed a motley crowd near the statue, said the reported statement of Mr. Gowda did not befit the stature of a former Prime Minister.

He had hurt the sentiments of the two communities and had to apologise for it, failing which the party would organise protests against Mr. Gowda.

Demonstration

Our Belgaum Staff Correspondent writes:

Office-bearers of the district and city units of the BJP today staged a demonstration in protest against the reported remarks of Mr. Gowda at Rani Channamma circle.

They also burnt an effigy of Mr. Gowda.

Criticised

Our Bellary Staff Correspondent writes:

The Minister of State for Railways, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, while criticising Mr. Gowda's reported statement, has sought an apology from him.

"Such statements from a person who once held a high office has pained members of the two communities," he said. Karunakar Reddy, President of the district unit of the BJP, has also criticised the former Prime Minister.

Effigy burnt

Our Bidar Staff Correspondent reports:

BJP activists burnt an effigy of Mr. Gowda in protest against his reported statement. Addressing the protesters, the MLA, Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Mr. Gowda had made the statement with an eye on the votes of a particular community. He asked Mr. Gowda to apologise.

`Sentiments hurt'

Our Davangere Staff Correspondent writes:

A large number of people belonging to the Veerashaiva community took out a procession here today in protest against the reported remarks of Mr. Gowda.

The protesters said Mr. Gowda's remarks had hurt the sentiments of the people of the two communities.

Draws flak

Our Bijapur Staff Correspondent writes:

The reported remarks of Mr. Gowda has attracted sharp criticism in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts.

In a press release on Saturday, the Bagalkot MLA, P.H. Pujar, said Mr. Gowda had hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

In a joint statement, the councillors, Raju Magimath and Ashok Nyamgonda (associated with VHP), and the district BJP office bearers, Jagadish Kshatri, Vithal Katakdonda, and Rajesh Devgiri have condemned the remark.

Protest planned

Our Raichur Staff Correspondent writes:

The district unit of the VHP has decided to stage a protest here on Monday to condemn the reported statement of the former Prime Minister.

H.R. Ballal, general secretary of the district unit of the VHP, said in a statement here today that they would take a protest march in the city.

Apology sought

Our Tumkur Staff Correspondent writes:

The Tumkur Veerashaiva Samaja Seva Samiti has demanded an unconditional apology from Mr. Gowda.

The president of the samiti, G.R. Shivakumar, the vice-president, T.R. Jayaprakash, and the secretary, T.S. Shivaprakash, said in a statement here on Saturday that the Lingayats were anguished over the reported statement of Mr. Gowda.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Package for small units soon: Thakur

Kharge to witness passing out parade

WB team to inspect work on highway

Implement Malimath panel report, Centre urged

Gowda's reported remarks draw all-round criticism

Congress hits out at VHP, Bajrang Dal

`Verdict has deprived workers right to collective bargaining'

Hegde rules out one-to-one meet with Gowda

Landholders to hold rally for tree rights

Udupi's only sugar factory fighting for survival