Congress leader's statement on Sri Krishna Mutt stokes controversy

MANGALURU: A statement by Congress leader Mithun Rai, who is also a ticket aspirant from the Mulki-Moodbidri constituency, has led to controversy with the video clip going viral on social media. Highlighting that communal harmony prevailed in the region, Rai said that he gave several examples, and also mentioned that the place to build the Udupi Krishna Mutt was given by a Muslim ruler, a statement that he gave based on a newspaper report.
Rai said, "What has happened is unfortunate. I have been preaching about communal harmony that prevailed in the district, and will continue to do so. I love this district, and cannot see it deteriorating.
I was a guest at 'sowharda vedike' as part of the 'Nammura Masjid Nodabanni' programme, held as part of the new building inauguration of Noorani Masjid in Puthige village.
I have given these examples of communal harmony in connection with Bappanadu temple, Kavatharu Koragajja, Attur Church, Kukke Subrahamanya, Ullal Darga and so on.
My entire speech was on communal harmony. Unfortunately, troublemakers have cut and edited out only the points related to the Udupi mutt. My reference was based on a 2017 newspaper report," he said. Rai explained that it is strange that the issue has cropped up after almost 20 days of attending the programme.
'BJP wins polls by disturbing communal harmony'
"It could be because we had staged several protests against the MLA. The BJP's only way to win an election is to disturb communal harmony, and divide Hindus and Muslims, and this way attempts are being made to incite Hindus against me.
I have even spoken to the Udupi Pontiff in this regard, and he said that my speech was based on a report. My only intent was to highlight that communal harmony is prevailing in the district since ages, and who are we to divide it now?" he said.