Congress leader’s ‘rationalist’ statement: will launch campaign from graveyard, with prayers to vehicles

Jarkiholi, a three-time legislator from the ST-reserved Yemkanmardi constituency in the state’s Belagavi district, is seen as a rationalist, especially among his more superstition-bound colleagues.

Taking a dig at the belief that there is an auspicious time to start things, Jarkiholi said the concept of a Rahu Kala between April 13 and 20 was an “illusion”, adding that he would file his nomination on one of those days. “Is it wrong to embark on a new journey during Rahu Kala or by offering puja at a graveyard? I have been doing it for the past three decades,” Jarkiholi said.

Sources close to Jarkiholi said the dates of his campaign launch are yet to be finalised as state Congress leaders are in New Delhi for the Central Election Commission (CEC) meeting that is being held to narrow down candidates for polls.

Satish is the eldest of five Jarkiholi brothers, four of whom are legislators. While two of them, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Balachandra Jarkiholi, are BJP MPs, Lakhan Jarkiholi is an Independent MLC.

Jarkiholi’s political statement at a graveyard is not new. On December 6 every year, he leads a stay at a graveyard, conducting seminars under the banner of his NGO Manava Bandhutva. Participants also sleep and eat at the venue during the programme. Jarkiholi is also known for his push for the anti-superstition Bill introduced during the previous Congress government under Siddaramaiah. He had resigned from his Cabinet berth in 2018 ostensibly over the government failure to get the Bill passed.

In November 2022, Jarkiholi stoked a controversy saying that the word “Hindu” was of Persian origin and was “imposed on people”.