Mangaluru : The public meet was organised by Mohan Alva’s supporters, with former minister Amarnath Shetty as the convenor. at Moodbidri’s Swaraj Maidan here on Saturday August 12.

It is quite natural that every person who is doing a good job has to undergo litmus test and Alva’s Educational Institutions Chairperson Dr M Mohan Alva is no exception. He is a golden man and he will pass the litmus test, writer Vaidehi reiterated.

Addressing a huge gathering of supporters of Alva, she said that many were waiting to target Alva, especially when he started shining. There are a number of people who are jealous of Alva and such people were waiting for an opportunity and they found an opportunity in Kavya. Theatre persons B V Karanth and Subbanna too had faced similar situations in thier life. Those who have spent a little time with Alva will never do such things. “Is this what the society gives back to a person, who contributed so much to society,” she sought to know.

Terming the student Kavya’s death incident as unfortunate, former vice chancellor of Hampi Kannada University

Dr B A Viveka Rai said that the investigation should be conducted as per the law of the land and not as per the whims and fancies of some people. There is a need to boost morality among 26,000 and odd students of Alva’s Educational Institutions and there is a need to ward off fear among parents of students, he said.

Alva never looked at anyone’s caste or creed or religion while giving jobs to so many people and we are with him, he reiterated.

Mulki Church Parish Priest Rev Fr F X Gomes said that he knows Alva for the last 40 years and he never compromised when it comes to discipline. “Those who never understood him are spreading false propaganda,” he said and added that he has answers to all queries and he will emerge victorious.

Mandya CMC former president Ambujamma said that it is wrong to blame Alva. At a time when there are so many cases wherein students end their life at home just because they fail in exams, how can anyone blame Alva for Kavya’s death, she said and hoped that god open the minds of those who are making false allegations against Alva.

International athlete Sahana Poojary said that Alva has helped many students like her to shine in sports. “Alva wanted to make Kavya too a good sportsperson,” she said and added that there are at least 50 per cent Billavas (Kavya’s caste) in Alva’s institutions.

Yenepoya University Chancellor Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi said that it is not easy to manage 26,000 students and many come to his institutions because of the encouragement the students get for education, sports as well as culture.

SDM Educational Institutions secretary Yashoverma said that those who know Alva will know the truth and those, who does not know him, will not understand him.

Presiding over the meeting, Nitte University Chancellor Dr N Vinay Hegde said that mudslinging on Alva is a political conspiracy. “If somebody slips and falls, try to lift him, please don’t kick him,” he requested.

Sharada Educational Institutions Chairman Prof M B Puranik, Sahyadri Institutions Chairman Manjunath Bhan-dary, Sri Devi Educational Institutions Chairman Sadananda Shetty, Jain Institutions (Bengaluru) Administrative Officer Jayaram Shetty, Jnana Sudha Head Sudhakar Shetty, Brigadier (retd) I N R Rai, Kasargod Chinna, alumni Sabitha Monis and former minister Amarnath Shetty were present.

About 8,000 persons took part in the meeting. However, none of the students participated.