Former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday called for an end to recent communal flare-ups in the state.
Over the past several weeks, Karnataka has witnessed protests against a ban on wearing of hijab in educational institutions, demands to boycott halal meat and calls to remove Muslim traders from the vicinity of Hindu temples.
Yediyurappa was quoted by The Indian Express as saying “The chief minister has stated that law and order will be protected. I will advise him (the chief minister) to put an end to all this (divisive politics) and focus on the job at hand. All communities should live in peace and dignity.”
Yediyurappa declared Hindus and Muslims would like to live peacefully, but miscreants were trying to create divisions. Yediyurappa was quoted by The Indian Express as saying “Hindus and Muslims are brothers born to the same mother and they have a bond. If there are efforts to break this bond, the chief minister has said this, that action as per the law will be taken. Efforts must be made to prevent deterioration of law and order and to allow people to live in peace.”
On Sunday, Karnataka's Minister for Law and Parliament Affairs J.C. Madhuswamy had also sought an end to communal incidents. “The government is not backing any of these activities. The government will take action if pro-Hindu organisations cross their limits. There are no two ways about it. This country belongs to everybody. All those who remained in India after Partition are Indians. There is no point in creating a controversy over this at present. The government will not give this too much scope... Everyone has a right to livelihood in this country under the Constitution. Everyone has the right to trade under the Constitution. Everybody has the right to worship in private… Nobody has the right to denigrate a religion,” Madhuswamy was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
He declared such incidents of communal tension do “not bring any honour at all” to the party in power.
BJP tour
Meanwhile, the BJP has formed three teams to tour the state in preparation for next year's assembly polls. Yediyurappa said “From April 12 to 24, in three teams, we will be travelling across the state. BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel will be in the first team, our national general secretary (Arun Singh) and I will be together in the second team and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will be in the third team.” Yediyurappa said this tour is aimed at strengthening the party, holding discussions with party workers for drawing up strategies and preparing for the polls.
(With PTI inputs)
