BJP drops sitting MLA from candidate list from Udupi, epicenter of Hijab row
Fields controversial, emerging Hindutva leader Yashpal Suvarna from constituency
Udupi: In a surprising move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dropped Raghupathi Bhat, a prominent leader in Coastal Karnataka, from its list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections. Bhat, who is the MLA for the Udupi constituency, had played a key role in the controversial Hijab row in his constituency.
The decision to drop Bhat from the list of candidates has surprised many, as he was seen as one of the contenders for the party’s ticket from the constituency. Bhat's removal has also raised questions about the party's strategy and approach toward the upcoming elections.
While Bhat's role in the Hijab row has been a topic of discussion. The BJP has not given any official reason for his removal.
Bhat's involvement in the Hijab row had sparked widespread protests in the Udupi region. Bhat, who was the President of the college development committee at the Women’s Government PU College, Udupi where the Hijab issue first began, had sought the case to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the protests.
It is worth noting that Bhat has been replaced by Yashpal Suvarna as the BJP candidate in the Udupi constituency.
Yashpal Suvarna is one of the staunchest supporters of Hindutva ideology and had made controversial remarks against protesters in the Hijab row. He went on to call the protesters and petitioners of the Hijab row ‘terrorists’. He was also the vice president of the college committee at the Women’s Government PU College during the Hijab row.
Apart from his role in the Hijab issue, Suvarna was also one of the main accused in the infamous 2005 Adiudupi lynching of a father-son duo alleging cattle transport. He was later acquitted in the case.
Suvarna belongs to the Mogaveera community which holds a major vote share in the district. He has emerged as one of the staunchest supporters of Hindutva in Coastal Karnataka. The move of the BJP is being seen as an attempt to further its Hindutva agenda by fielding supporters of Hindutva.
The Karnataka elections are expected to be closely contested, with the BJP and the opposition parties vying for the support of the voters.
The BJP is hoping to win a majority of the seats in the region and form the next government in Karnataka. Bhat's removal from the list of candidates has thrown a curveball in the party's election strategy, and it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the party's prospects in the upcoming elections.
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Delhi: Boy stabbed to death over 'controversial' social media comments, 2 juveniles held
New Delhi (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death at Ramleela ground in northwest Delhi for allegedly making social media comments that police described as "controversial", an official said on Wednesday.
According to the police, the assailants, also minors, attacked him with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds.
"A PCR call was received in the Shalimar Bagh Police Station regarding an injured boy lying in Ramleela ground. The police team reached the spot and found him with multiple stab wounds," a police officer said.
He was working as a labourer in a banquet hall for the last two days, the officer said. An FIR was registered and the police apprehended two juveniles in the case.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the deceased was stabbed due to an ongoing enmity, the officer said.
During questioning, the accused told the police that the victim had made "controversial comments" against them on social media. Following which, they intercepted him at Ramleela ground and stabbed him. He died on the spot, officer said.
"We have recovered a dagger and the victim's mobile phone. Further investigation in the case is underway," he added.
