Priyanka Gandhi’s detention in UP: Congress holds protest in Mangaluru and Udupi

Mangaluru: A protest against the detention of Congress party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi by Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has been protested by the District Congress members at the Congress office on Saturday, July 20.

Speaking to the protestors, former minister Ramanath Rai said, “Ten people were gunned down and Priyanka Gandhi had visited the victims at the hospital. Later on her way to the vicitms’ residence, she was stopped and denied permission to visit the victims’ families. BJP government is not in favour of the dalits and weaker section.”

“Congress members fought for freedom and went to jail. Unfortunately, we are labelled as traitors and those who have been to jail in criminal cases are ruling and they are portrayed as patriots. We condemn the detention of Priyanka Gandhi,” said Mr Rai.

Speaking on the occasion, former MLA Abhayachandra Jain said, “After BJP came to power, crimes have increased. BJP government is not in favour of the poor and weaker section. We condemn the fact that Priyanka Gandhi was stopped from visiting the families of the victims who were gunned down.”

“In Karnataka, BJP are trying to poach our MLAs in order to destabilise the government. BJP are trying to play cheap politics,” he alleged.

Congress protest in Udupi, condemns UP government

The district zilla Congress committee members and party leaders staged protest in front of Congress Bhavan here on Saturday, July 20 against UP government which detained Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.

Addressing the protestors president of district Congress committee, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor said, “We strongly condemn the act of UP government that detained Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, when she went to meet the victims’ families in Sonbhadra where 10 people were gunned down this week. It is an effort to make her voiceless. This should not be done with her as she is a strong leader.”

Speaking on the occasion, Congress leader Nagesh Udyavar said, “This protest is against UP government which is following anti-democracy policy. Priyanka Gandhi went to meet the families on humanitarian ground, but Yogi Adityanath government stopped her on the way. Why is Yogi scared about Priyanka and Congress party?”

“Congress has been working for people and responded to their grievances constantly. Assault on minorities, mob lynching and dalits is happening in UP. People should understand these facts. Earlier, our nation was known for diverse culture, multiple languages, and diversity in geography, but today it is changing. BJP has come to power through religious polarization. Congress is not just a party, but it is a movement. Congress wiped tears of people,” he claimed.

Vice president of district Congress women wing Jyothi Hebbar said, “Yogi Adityanath must be scared of Priyanka Gandhi or Congress party. If not, then he is definitely scared of women power. Congress has been condemning the dual policy of BJP. They are not allowing women to come up even after saying she is mother, God etc. A new Gandhian movement is required to prevent communalism in the nation. It is our right to protest. Changing Constitution is not an easy task because Bhagavad Geetha is also Constitution. It helped in the unification of India. Congress has always stuck to its own principles and policies. Do not try to suppress democracy. Yogi Adityanath led government is now in power, but it is not at all permanent. Nation was built by love, sacrifice and kindness (friendship). Let Priyanka be allowed to meet the families and console them. Let UP governments do its duty,” she said.