Daijiworld Media Network – Belgaum (SP)
Belgaum, Sep 18: "Communal clashes happen because of hardcore fundamentalists within Muslim and Hindu communities. Provocative statements made by Sri Rama Sene leader, Pramod Muthalik, have hurt the sentiments of Muslims. Because of people like Muthalik, communal passions get ignited. However, banning of organizations run by such people cannot achieve the objective of putting an end to communal clashes. There is a need to take imperative steps to ensure that such kind of clashes do not occur," opined All India Congress Committee general secretary and Karnataka state in-charge of Congress affairs, Digvijay Singh.
He was addressing a press conference here on Wednesday September 17.
Singh accused BJP of spreading communal discord in the country, chiding it for repeatedly trying to create frictions between Hindus and Muslims. "On one side, BJP leaders including prime minister, Narendra Modi, impress upon the need for the people from all communities to have harmonious coexistence. On the other, leaders of this party deliver addresses which flare up communal passions," he criticized.
He said that the results of the bypolls held recently have proven that BJP has lost the confidence of the people. "BJP, which faced bypoll in Uttar Pradesh on love Jihad plank, suffered loss of face, as the people have taught that party a fitting lesson," he added.
Digvijay drew attention of the media men to a recent statement made by union home minister, Rajnath Singh, claiming ignorance about the meaning of Love Jihad. He pointed out that BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishat, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, have been branding a marriage between a Muslim youth and a Hindu girl as 'love Jihad', but they do not consider marriage between Hindu youths and Muslim girls as 'love Jihad', pointing out that several BJP leaders have married Muslim women.
Singh said that towards conserving communal harmony, the party will be organizing harmony rallies in all the districts of North Karnataka within a period of six months.