Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa has once again generated controversy with provocative remarks directed at the Muslim community. Speaking at a Hindu workers' convention in Belagavi, Eshwarappa urged Muslims to vacate mosques reportedly constructed on lands where temples were demolished. He issued a warning of potentially severe consequences if they failed to comply.
Addressing the gathering, Eshwarappa mentioned ongoing considerations, including Mathura, for the construction of temples pending court verdicts. He emphasized the BJP's commitment to temple construction after legal decisions, stating, "There should be no doubt about that."
Expressing his viewpoint on areas with existing mosques, Eshwarappa suggested that it would be advantageous for Muslims to voluntarily vacate those locations. However, he warned of uncertain repercussions, alluding to potential conflicts and casualties if such actions were not taken voluntarily.
This is not the first instance of Eshwarappa making controversial communal statements. In December of the previous year, he gained attention for asserting that no mosque built after demolishing a temple would be spared in the country. During that time, he declared, "Those mosques built after destroying our temples won't be spared. Not a single such mosque will stand in this country. This is my personal opinion."
In addition, Eshwarappa previously stirred controversy in April of the same year when he claimed that the BJP wouldn't require Muslim votes to secure victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections. His latest remarks continue a pattern of provocative statements, raising concerns about the potential impact on communal harmony in the region.
