We'll fight 'saffronisation' of varsity: Jarkiholi

Senior Congress leader and MLA Satish Jarkiholi denied his involvement in the vandalism at Rani Channamma University, Belagavi (RCUB), recently. However, Congress would fight against 'saffronisation' of the university, he claimed.

It maybe recalled that people claiming to be Satish Jarkiholi's supporters, barged into a voluntary blood donation camp being held at the university auditorium; and engaged in a heated argument with varsity authorities.

Protest against 'saffronisation'

Jarkiholi claimed that people who barged into the varsity on Monday, were there to protest against 'saffronisation' efforts by syndicated member Raju Chikkangoudar. Chikkangoudar is the BJP Yuva Morcha state vice president, he added.

Jarkiholi played down allegations that the RCUB vice chancellor and staff were manhandled. “It is up to the varsity authorities to file a police complaint,” he told reporters.

Jarkiholi alleged that Raju Chikkangoudar was involved in a 'computer purchase scam' and blamed MP Suresh Angadi for politicising the RCUB incident.

'We will fight it out'

"We are against saffronisation of the varsity and will fight against it fiercely. We don’t want politics in the varsity. But if it comes to that, we will fight it out," Jarkiholi cautioned.

MP Suresh Angadi said he would wait another day for the police to register cases in connection with the vandalism; failing which, the BJP would launch an agitation in front of chief minister's residence in Bengaluru.

"It is unbecoming of an MLA to provoke supporters and disrupt a university programme, Angadi remarked.