Mangaluru: BJP MLA Bhagirathi Murulya found herself cornered on Sunday when a journalist questioned how Suhas Shetty—an accused in the murder of a Hindu youth and a known rowdy-sheeter—could be described as a "protector of Hindus." Unable to respond, the MLA abruptly walked out of the press conference midway.

According to a report by the Kannada daily Vartha Bharathi, the press meet was organized by the BJP MLA from Sullia to condemn the recent murder of Suhas Shetty. However, the event took an unexpected turn as the legislator struggled to respond to pointed questions from the media.

Held at the BJP Dakshina Kannada district office, the press conference aimed to portray Suhas Shetty as a Hindutva activist and to counter what Murulya described as a smear campaign labeling him a rowdy-sheeter. She also questioned why no legal cases had been filed against Congress leaders like D.K. Shivakumar and Dr. G. Parameshwara despite controversies surrounding them. “If that is the case, how should we refer to them?” she asked.

Reporters, however, challenged her statements, pointing out that Suhas Shetty was the prime accused in the murder of a Hindu youth named Keerthi in Badag Ekkaru five years ago. “In that case, how can you call him a protector of Hindus?” a journalist asked. The question visibly unsettled the MLA, who remained silent.

When Murulya again claimed that Suhas was being falsely portrayed as a rowdy-sheeter, journalists reminded her that the rowdy-sheet against him was actually opened during the BJP’s tenure, when R. Ashoka was the Home Minister. Once more, she failed to give a clear response.

The situation further escalated when questions were raised about a Dalit atrocity case registered against Suhas Shetty. Visibly agitated, Bhagirathi Murulya abruptly ended the press meet, saying, “That’s it, we’re done. Thank you all for coming,” and walked away.

BJP District Mahila Morcha President Manjula Rao, along with party leaders Poornima and Sandhya, were also present at the press conference.