Karnataka Congress MLC BK Hariprasad asserted on Wednesday that the BJP was endeavoring to emulate the Godhra incident, wherein Hindu volunteers known as 'kar sevaks' were tragically killed, within the state of Karnataka. He urged the Congress government to remain vigilant and ensure robust security for individuals visiting Ayodhya.
Hariprasad's comments came amidst protests by the BJP following the arrest of a Hindu activist, Srikanth Poojari, in Hubballi, related to riots that occurred 31 years ago after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
Addressing the media, BK Hariprasad questioned the nature of the agitation, characterizing it as politically motivated rather than a genuine protest, especially in the context of the Supreme Court hearing. He emphasized that there was no historical precedent for demolishing one religious place to construct another, dismissing any exaggerated notions about the event as a religious program.
Accusing the BJP of attempting to incite trouble in Karnataka with a Godhra-like incident, Hariprasad urged the government to take precautionary measures and provide ample security to individuals visiting Ayodhya. He underscored the importance of preventing any untoward incidents similar to the tragic Godhra train fire and subsequent riots in Gujarat.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also criticized the BJP, cautioning against assigning caste and religious labels to criminals. He questioned the outcry surrounding the arrest of the criminal suspect in Hubballi, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding rather than a tendency to color crime and criminals with caste and religion.
Siddaramaiah expressed concern over the desperation of BJP leaders rallying around a crime suspect, highlighting the increase in criminal activities in the state as a consequence of the BJP's alleged illegal actions and their inclination to associate crime with caste and religion. He concluded by asserting that the Congress government was gaining popularity, and the BJP's actions were attempts to defend a suspect in a riots case, which he deemed unfortunate.
