In an unfortunate incident, Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagowda, an Indian student from Karnataka, was killed in Russian shelling in Ukraine’s Kharkiv this week. However, as Naveen’s family members wait for his body to be flown back to Karnataka, a BJP legislator has made a shocking remark that “a dead body takes up more space in a flight”.
BJP MLA from Karnataka’s Hubli-Dharwad constituency, Arvind Bellad, said instead of a coffin, nearly eight to 10 people can be accommodated on the plane. The minister said this when he was questioned over the uncertainty over when Naveen’s body would be brought back to Haveri, his hometown.
“The government is putting in effort to bring back the mortal remains of Naveen. Ukraine is a war zone and everyone is aware of it. Efforts are being made and if possible, the body will be brought back,” Mr Bellad told reporters.
“While it is very challenging to bring back those who are alive, it has become even more difficult to bring back the dead because a dead body will consume more space on the flight. Instead, eight to 10 persons can be accommodated in place of a dead body, which would consume more space,” the BJP legislator said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making all efforts to try and bring back Naveen’s body, Mr Bellad added.
The 21-Year-Old student was studying in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, and was standing in a que outside grocery store when he reportedly came under Russian shelling on a government building.
According to his roommate, Naveen was staying in a bunker with other students and had stepped out to stock up on food before catching a train to the border on Tuesday.
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