Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Apr 13: Satyajit Surathkal, the state president of Narayana Guru Vichara Vedike, expressed his concern over the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) use of the names of Brahmashree Narayana Guru and Koti Chennaya for political gains, stating that it continues to hurt the sentiments of the Billawa community.

Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, April 13, Surthkal highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to conduct a roadshow from Brahmashree Narayana Guru Circle to PVS Circle on April 14th. He emphasized that Modi will garland the Brahmashree Narayana Guru statue at Ladyhill before commencing the roadshow. However, he criticized the BJP for allegedly misusing the names and photos of Brahmashree Narayana Guru and Koti Chennaya to promote Modi's roadshow on social media platforms.

Surathkal brought attention to the rejection of the Narayana Guru tableau by the Central Government for the Republic Day parade. He suggested that if the Central government had approved the tableau, it would have been a mark of respect to Brahmashree Narayana Guru. He also criticized the removal of Narayana Guru's lessons from textbooks by the Textbook Revision Committee, a move that was later reversed due to public and Billawa community protests.

Moreover, Surathkal denounced a BJP MLA who had reportedly felicitated Rohit Chakratheertha, a member of the textbook revision committee accused of insulting Brahmashree Narayana Guru. He further criticized another BJP leader for allegedly stating that Muslims are better than the Billawa community, yet remaining within the party without repercussions.

While Surathkal voiced support for Billawa candidates from various constituencies, he urged BJP not to misuse the names and images of Brahmashree Narayana Guru and Koti Chennaya for political gains. He emphasized that the people will ultimately decide in the upcoming election, demonstrating the community's stance.

The media briefing was attended by Veda Kumar, president of Bengaluru Billawa Association, Devendra Poojary, president of the Kudroli Temple Development Committee, and Gejjegiri Rajendra Chilimbi, media convenor.