A BJP MLA in Karnataka has triggered a controversy with insensitive comments on demands to bring back the mortal remains of Naveen Gyanagoudar Shekharappa, an Indian student who was killed in the conflict in Ukraine.
Bellad referred to the death of Shekharappa while interacting with reporters in Dharwad on Thursday. He is the MLA for Hubballi-Dharwad West constituency.
NDTV reported that Bellad claimed “While it is very challenging to bring back those who are alive, it has become even more difficult to bring back the dead because a dead body will consume more space on the flight. Instead, eight to 10 persons can be accommodated in place of a dead body, which would consume more space.” Bellad was responding to questions on when Shekharappa's remains would be brought to Haveri.
Shekharappa's father had told mediapersons on Wednesday that he had been assured by the government his son's remains would be brought home “within two days”.
Bellad was quoted by The New Indian Express as saying “While evacuating people who are alive itself is a cumbersome exercise, bringing back a body from the conflict zone to the country is a much more difficult task. Despite all these headwinds, efforts are being made by the Ministry of External Affairs to bring back people stranded in war-hit Ukraine.”
Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed demanded Bellad be sacked. She tweeted on Friday “Arvind Bellad, BJP MLA from Karnataka, when asked about bringing back the body of the Indian student killed in Ukraine, says 'A dead body takes up more space in a flight'. Does BJP condone this heartless comment! This man must be sacked immediately for his shameless statement!”
