Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)
Karkala, Jun 5: Clarifying the position regarding a viral video about a BJP Yuva Morcha activist's birthday celebration inside the quarantine centre at Murathangadi near here, former BJP Yuva Morcha president Karunakar Kotian, offered clarifications, addressing a press meet on Thursday June 4. The above incident had happened on the night of May 21.
Kotian said that the BJP activists had not celebrated birthday in the company of people from Mumbai who were quarantined there, and blamed the Congress for making an issue out of nothing and engaging in malicious propaganda against the BJP.
"Fourteen persons connected with the BJP including family members have been serving at the above centre day and night. As many as 124 persons from Mumbai along with family members were quarantined at this centre. All of them were provided with all facilities, and they were appreciative of our services," he said.
Kotian agreed that the celebration of Prashanth's birthday was held at the centre on May 21 night. He said that the volunteers were living separately. "It is true that we did not maintain social distance during the birthday celebration. But we stayed separately and even after the quarantine period, we are in good health. We sacrificed our family life for 14 days to serve people quarantined at the centre. What is wrong if we celebrate the birthday of someone who offered his services for the quarantined people?" he wondered.
He said that they had allowed the quarantined families to celebrate the birthdays of their children by ordering cake, in their own rooms. No government officials were present during the celebrations, he added.
He felt that youth Congress president Vishwas Amin, woke to the happenings after the lapse of a long period of time. He again charged the Congress of instigating some media to publish the news with the aim of maligning the image of BJP and its leaders.
"Vishwas Amin has wrongly termed me as the taluk Yuva Morcha president. But it has been four months since my term expired," he said, and challenged the Congress workers to provide details of the quarantine facilities where they had served so far. "People will not pardon you for indulging in false publicity. Congress leaders have also been engaging in spreading false information by giving some misleading headings to unconnected photos," he observed.
Karunakar stated that people who have come from Mumbai are only suspected of having infection, and they are not infected. "This is not a terrorist camp. Congress leaders who have failed to serve anyone, are trying to get mileage without any rhyme or reason. People from Mumbai who were quarantined here will not forgive them," he stated.
Rakesh Amin, Bharat Jain, Naveen, Rajesh Kotian and others connected with the BJP Yuva Morcha were present.