From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Hubballi/Bengaluru, Jan 3: The Karnataka BJP staged a protest across the state on Wednesday condemning the arrest of an alleged Kar Sevak, Srikanth Poojari, in Hubballi in connection with a 31-year-old case of arson during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
The Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, led the agitation in Hubballi city and the protest was staged in front of the Hubballi Shehar Police Station in spite of refusal of permission by the authorities.
State BJP President B Y Vijayendra led the protest at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru even as the saffron party staged a protest in all district headquarters of the state and urged the Congress Government to immediately release Srikanth Poojari.
Warning that "anti-Hindu" Siddaramaiah-led Congress government will not survive in Karnataka, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Wednesday declared that Ram Bhakts were ready to face even hundred Siddaramaiahs.
Speaking to media persons in Hubballi after visiting the Kar Sevak held in judicial custody, the BJP leader denounced the Siddaramaiah government and said:"For the Congress, terrorists are brothers while Ram Bhakts are criminals.’’
Ashoka said the Congress government is not doing anything against those who attacked police but arrests those proclaiming Jai Sri Ram. "They release those who shout Jai Tipu but Ram Bhakts are taken into custody. The Congress house is set to crumble just like those who went after Tipu.“What more can be expected from those who make Tipu Sultan, a coward who killed lakhs of Hindus and imprisoned Mysuru kings to take over their kingdoms, their model? This Tipu culture will not be tolerated,’’ he warned.
"It is most shameful that Karnataka government arrests those who shout slogans for Lord Rama. We are not shouting Rama’s name in Pakistan but in our State. We have Prime Minister Narendra Modi behind us,’’ he said.
The BJP leader claimed that the Congress party was opposed to construction of Rama Mandira and the party had appointed a team of 25 lawyers when the Rama Mandira dispute was in court and the then Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal had argued that there is no birth certificate for Lord Rama.
"We have never asked for the birth cerificates of Allah or Jesus Christ and are respecting their followers,’’ he claimed and said, "BJP always respects the beliefs of others.’’
He claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is an expert in dividing castes and communities. He said Congress government had started the controversy stating that Veerashaivas and Lingayats were separate while BJP always held that both are one community belonging to the Hindu religion.
Ashoka argued that there were cases against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. "Did we arrest them? How can the government arrest Kar Sevaks merely because there were pending cases against them over the demolition of Babri Masjid over 30 years ago?’’ he asked.
The BJP leader visited the residence of the arrested Kar Sevak Shrikant Poojari, who is in judicial custody, in Panduranga Colony of Hubballi and consoled the family members, assuring that the BJP would support them.
Vijayendra stated that the ruling anti-Ram government was not able to tolerate the construction of the Ram mandir in Ayodhya and was trying to prevent the distribution of ‘Mantrakhsate’ sacred rice grains by Ram bhakts.
“The Congress ministers are issuing irresponsible statements on Lord Ram. The government is arresting Ram bhakts by reopening 31-year-old cases. This government needs to be taught a befitting lesson for its anti-Hindu stand,” he stated.
BJP MLA and General Secretary V Sunil Kumar said that even after the Supreme Court judgment allowing the construction of the Ram mandir in Ayodhya, cases were lodged against Ram bhakts. The anti-Hindu stand of Siddaramaiah is exposed, he added.
(With inputs from IANS)