MANGALURU: After making unsavoury remarks against
Koti-Chennaya
— the legendary Tuluva twin heroes — Billava community and former Union minister B Janardhan Poojary, Bharatiya Janata Party Dakshina Kannada district vice president Jagadish Adhikari tendered an apology on Saturday.
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Soon after Adhikari’s remarks went viral on social media, people cutting across political parties started raising objections and demanded an apology from the senior Keranataka leader.
While Congress leaders Mithun Rai, Harish Kumar, Prathibha Kulai and others lashed out at Adhikari, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, division secretary Sharan Pumpwell too joined the chorus and demanded an unconditional apology from the BJP leader.
Following this, Adhikari held a press conference in Moodbidri, not only to tender an apology but announced that he would visit the ‘moolasthana’ (original place) of Koti-Chennaya and make ‘tappu kanike’ (offering made as a token of apology).
Adhikari had allegedly remarked against Koti-Chennaya, legendary heroes worshipped by Tuluvas, and Billava community at a Nemotsava ceremony in Valpady recently.
Later, he also made remarks against Janardhan Poojary.
Adhikari said: “It was a slip of the tongue that I have made an inappropriate statement against Koti-Chennaya and Billava community. I extend my apology and request all of you to end this episode here. I will visit the moolasthana of Koti-Chennaya and offer tappu kanike and sankramana puja to the daivas. Our family also worships Koti-Chennaya. It is common that people make mistakes. It is our duty to correct our mistakes. My statements have gone viral on social media and it has taken a different shape. I suspect the involvement of Congress in this.”
In his remarks against Janardhana Poojary, the BJP leader said Poojary is a towering personality in politics. “I have a long association with Poojary. I cannot speak against him.”
Earlier, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee coordinator and former corporator Prathibha Kulai — while questioning Adhikari — had said, “Is this BJP’s real Hindutva to speak against Koti-Chennaya and Billavas? This proves their real sentiments towards the Billava community and daivas.”
He is an Assistant Editor with The Times of India, Mangaluru.