Congress plans silent march backing Vinay Kulkarni after conviction in Yogesh Gowda murder case
Hubballi : The Indian National Congress has rallied behind jailed MLA Vinay Kulkarni following his conviction in the 2016 murder case of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda, announcing a massive silent protest march in Dharwad on April 25.
The decision was taken at a meeting of party leaders held late Monday night at the Congress office on Karwar Road in Hubballi. The meeting, led by Hubballi-Dharwad Rural Congress President Anil Kumar Patil, discussed strategies to express solidarity with Kulkarni and mobilise public support.
Party leaders alleged that Kulkarni’s conviction was the result of a “political conspiracy,” claiming that he had been unfairly targeted. They said the proposed silent march would serve as both a show of strength and a symbolic gesture of moral support for the imprisoned leader.
According to the plan, Congress workers and supporters will march peacefully up to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Dharwad, demanding justice and raising concerns over what they describe as selective targeting of opposition leaders. The leadership expects large participation from party cadres across the district.
The case dates back to June 15, 2016, when Yogesh Gowda, a district panchayat member and BJP leader, was brutally murdered inside a gym in Saptapur locality of Dharwad. Initially believed to be linked to a property dispute, the investigation later took a political turn.
The probe was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which concluded that the killing was politically motivated. After a prolonged investigation and trial, a special court dealing with cases against elected representatives delivered its verdict on April 17, 2026.
The court found Vinay Kulkarni and 16 others guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The judgment marked a major turning point in the high-profile case, which had remained under intense political and public scrutiny for years.
The Congress’ decision to organise a protest has further intensified the political atmosphere in Karnataka, with the ruling dispensation and opposition expected to clash over the issue. While Congress leaders maintain that the verdict is unjust and politically influenced, rival parties have defended the court’s decision and called for respect for the judicial process.
Political observers say the planned march could become a flashpoint in the region, especially given the sensitivity surrounding the case and the stature of those involved. The protest is also being seen as an attempt by the Congress to consolidate its cadre and send a strong political message.
As the date for the march approaches, district authorities are likely to keep a close watch on law and order, ensuring that the demonstration remains peaceful.
