Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Dec 12: Former union minister and Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary on Friday December 12 criticized BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj for terming Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse a 'patriot', and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi set things right within a week.

BJP MP from Unnao Sakshi Maharaj had on Thursday December 12 raked up a controversy when he said Godse was a nationalist and a patriot. Though he later retracted his statement, the Parliament saw an uproar over the comment.

Addressing a press meet here, Poojary said, "Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation. He is recognised throughout the world for Ahimsa, and his ideology even inspired persons like Nelson Mandela and several nations too. But Sakshi Maharaj has lauded Nathuram Godse projecting him as patriot. This is nothing but anti-national."

Demanding action against the MP, Poojary said, "The PM should sack Sakshi. Modi can become a role model to the world by doing so, but instead he is silent. This will affect the spirit of democracy.

"This episode has unmasked Modi. He had given assurances that he would protect democracy, but these BJP and the Sangh Parivar leaders are giving various statements. BJP president says that Taj Mahal was actually Tejo Mahal, but the PM still continues to be silent. What might be their motive?" he said.

"The Sangh Parivar pracharaks are saying they will give Rs 2 lac and Rs 5 lac for conversion. They have been showing aggressive fundamentalism. Why is the PM not saying anything? Can't you (Modi) see all this? Are you deaf?" he lashed out.

"Modi should set things right within a week, and if he fails, he will no more be eligible to continue as PM," he declared.

"The Sangh Parivar members are not the only citizens of the country. I am telling this to Sangh Parivar also - be human and protect our nation," he added.

Alleging bias in the handling of the recent Ulaibettu clashes, Poojary said, "Around 500 persons were booked in the Ulaibettu clashes, and all of them are from backward classes, and none from the upper castes. People of backward classes are being misled. Their children are bringing ranks but they are still projected as criminals."

Referring to the Tulu Parba that is being held in the city from Friday, he said, "Tulu Parba is not only for any particular class, but even for SC/STs and backward classes, they are also Tuluvas. So convey a good message to them without doing any discrimination, only then will it become a meaningful programme."

Asked to comment on the controversy over mobile phone use by MLAs in the Karnataka Assembly, he said they committed a mistake by using phones during the proceedings.