Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Apr 9: Minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader on Monday, April 9 said that the issue of theft at Amritadhara cow shelter was being politicised in the name of protest.

For the past nine days, fast-unto-death is being observed under the leadership of T G Rajaram Bhat demanding arrest of culprits involved in the theft of cows from Amritadhara cow shelter in Punyakotinagara, Kairangala. Various leaders including RSS regional chief Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamji of Ramachandrapura Math and others have taken part in the protest.

Addressing a press meet here, Khader said, "The protest which was about demanding the arrest of culprits involved in the theft of cattle at Amritadhara cow shelter is being politicised. Coming to Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat’s statement that a temple visited by me needs 'cleansing', India is a country which has several cultures and those who do not know about it will pass such statements. Even we want the real culprits involved in the theft to be arrested so that truth will be out."

Clarifying on his attendance at a recent temple programme further, he said, "Inviting me to the programme was the decision of the temple administration. Several people invite me to temples and such statements by Kalladka Bhat are not in good taste. Hindus have given me moral support. I respect all religions. This nature of mine has not come through politics. I have been like this since childhood."

On the recent protest by youths at a conference of SKSSF in Ullal, he said, "Religious and youth organisations lack knowledge on the election model code of conduct for which workshops should be conducted. This will be discussed with the officials concerned."

He further said that the Congress was confident of winning all the seats in Dakshina Kannada in the upcoming elections. "With the elections round the corner, we are confident of dominating Dakshina Kannada district and winning in all the eight constituencies. People in Karnataka have appreciated the good administration provided by the state government during the last five years. People will definitely support us in the elections," he said.

District Congress president Harish Kumar, Mamatha Gatty, Santhosh Kumar Shetty and others were present.