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Udupi: A political controversy has erupted in Udupi after two burqa-clad women brought an elderly Hindu woman to District In-charge Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar seeking allotment of a house site.

The BJP alleged that one of the burqa-clad women had converted nearly two decades ago and falsely introduced the elderly woman before the minister. The party also warned of protests against the minister over the issue.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna criticised Lakshmi Hebbalkar and said there was no need for her to come from Belagavi and preach to the people of Udupi.

He said the people of Udupi are aware and responsible, and added that all five BJP MLAs and MPs from the district listen to people’s grievances without discrimination based on caste or religion.

Yashpal Suvarna further alleged that the burqa-clad women had misled the minister. He also made remarks linking hijab and burqa-wearing women to concerns in the district.

The controversy began after Lakshmi Hebbalkar reportedly said that BJP leaders in Udupi should learn from the gesture of two Muslim women accompanying a Hindu woman seeking help. Following her statement, BJP leaders strongly objected and criticised the minister.

Lakshmi Hebbalkar had also posted on X stating that she had instructed the Udupi Deputy Commissioner to take immediate action after hearing the request of Girija Shettigar, an 80-year-old resident of Badagubettu village in Udupi district, who had approached her seeking housing assistance with the support of Muslim women.

The minister stated that officials were directed to respond on humanitarian grounds and help provide housing facilities to the elderly woman. Meanwhile, criticism against the minister from BJP leaders and supporters continues.