Fresh on the heels of a controversy triggered by Karnataka MLC BK Hariprasad’s Godhra comment, the Congress seems to have invited a new one involving Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah. The former MLA equated India’s becoming a “Hindu Rashtra” to being like Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Yathindra courted controversy by saying if India becomes a “Hindu Rashtra”, it will become like Afghanistan and Pakistan ruled by a dictatorship. He said both the countries have gone bankrupt due to dictatorships in the name of religion.
“Pakistan and Afghanistan have been bankrupted by the dictatorship in the name of religion…Affiliate organisations of the BJP are going to make India a Hindu country. If this is allowed then our country will also become Pakistan and Afghanistan…” he said.
The Congress leader blamed the RSS and BJP for attempting to make India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, asking people to be wary of parties making religion a political issue. “…If the country leaves secularism and goes after religion, it will not develop. Today, there is a threat to the secular philosophy…We should be wary of parties that politicise religion…” he added.
Two controversies in a single day
Apart from dealing with protests by the BJP against the arrest of a karsevak-turned-autorickshaw driver from Hubbali for his alleged involvement in the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, the Congress has also faced backlash for the comments of senior leader BK Hariprasad. He claimed that there is a possibility of a “Godhra-like incident” in the state in the run-up to the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
He said the state government should be alert as the 2002 Godhra train burning case had plunged Gujarat into one of the worst communal riots. “A similar (Godhra-like) situation can be created here also. So, no room should be given for any untoward incident to happen in Karnataka. All the arrangements should be made for those willing to go to Ayodhya so that we should not see another Godhra happening in Karnataka,” said the former Rajya Sabha MP.
He added: “There is absolute possibility (for such incident). I can even give information. I can tell you that the head of some organisations went to some states and have instigated some BJP leaders. I cannot say that openly. They are doing it. They are instigating such act.”
(With PTI inputs)
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