Mangaluru: Minister Ivan D’Souza said that the Congress party would protest against the union government for declaring arecanut as dangerous for health.

Addressing a press conference, Ivan D’Souza said that the Union government’s statement against the arecanut growers has hurt the sentiments and that a protest will be held against this.

“The State Congress will protest against the union government. The date and format of the protest will be decided after a round of discussion with the senior leaders.

When UPA was in power, the expert committee had submitted a report that “arecanut is injurious to health.” At that time, the then MP of Dakshina Kannada had carried out a Padayatra. However, despite being present in the Parliament, the same MP remained silent on the issue when the government was replying to the Bihar MPs on the issue. The Central government should prove that arecanut is injurious to health. Otherwise, they have to give clarification”, he said.