A BJP MLA in Karnataka has spurred controversy over his remarks about bringing back the body of an Indian student, who was killed in the midst of the ongoing Russia- Ukraine conflict. The medical student, Naveen Gyanagoudar Shekharappa was killed earlier this week while he was out on the streets to buy food for him and for fellow students. He was a native of Haveri, Karnataka.

While the government has been taking measures to rescue the stranded Indians, BJP MLA from Karnataka, Arvind Bellad, who is representing Hubballi-Dharwad West Constituency, said that dead body would consume more space on the flight. According to reports, Bellad was responding to the question of when the mortal remains of the deceased student would arrive in Karnataka. 

Bellad said, "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 ten persons can be accommodated in place of a dead body. His remarks had come on Thursday and on Wednesday, the student's father had said that the government has given him an assurance that his son's remains would be brought home within two days. 

Bellad's comments had invited him massive flak and Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed had urged that the BJP MLA should be sacked from his post. She took to Twitter on Friday and wrote, "Arvind Bellad, BJP MLA from Karnataka, when asked about bringing back the body of the Indian student killed in Ukraine, says 'A body takes up more space in a flight.' Does BJP condone this heartless comment! This man must be sacked immediately for his shameless statement!".