Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 15: KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao's alleged comment against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has sparked a Congress-BJP Twitter war.
Dinesh Gundu Rao courted controversy when he called upon people of the state to attack Yogi Adityanath with chappals, alleging that the UP CM was backing the accused in the Unnao rape case.
Enraged at the remarks, the state BJP leaders took to Twitter to register their condemnation of Rao's statement.
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje reminded Rao that Yogi Adityanath was a 'saint' and that he had insulted a section of the Kannadigas by attacking Yogi. "Remember @dineshgrao keeping aside all your dirty tactics of politics by insulting @myogiadityanath who is a Hindu saint you insulted each and every Nath Parambare kannadigas ..#ShameOnYou," she tweeted.
The Youth Congress on its IYC Twitter handle responded questioning Karandlaje's description of Yogi Adityanath as a 'saint'.
"Shobhakka, since when did @myogiadityanath become a saint! Do saints use the language that he does ? Do saints perpetuate violence in name of religion? Saints are our icons like Basavanna, Shishunala Sharifa, Balagangadarnath Swami and Shivakumara Swami," the IYC tweeted.
BJP Karnataka through its official Twitter handle also condemned Rao, stating that his 'love for Muslims' should not translate into 'hatred for Hindu saints'.
"Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints. What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals? Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!," the BJP tweeted.
In another tweet, the BJP asked if, going by the same logic, chief minister Siddaramaiah too should be beaten up for the rapes reported in Karnataka.
"Dinesh Gundu Rao said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals. There were 3857 rapes in K'taka under @siddaramaiah. Going by the same logic, what Siddu must be beaten with Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao? Yogi is a revered saint of Natha parampare. Mind your tongue, ????????? ?????!"
Not one to back down, Dinesh Gundu Rao hit back, pointing out Yogi Adityanath's alleged criminal record and slamming the BJP for comparing him with saints from Karnataka.
"Please take a look at UP CM Adityanaths criminal record. I wonder how many Yogis and Saints have his track record. Should we still call him a Yogi? And why are you insulting our revered true saints of Karnataka & India by comparing them to Adityanath," he said.
Dinesh Gundu Rao in another tweet attacked the UP CM over the Unnao rape case and said that UP was witnessing 'Ravan Rajya' under 'Bhogi Adityanath'.
"UP CM Adityanath has totally failed his people. A victim of rape found no justice, she lost her father due to inhuman treatment by UP Govt & the CM who calls himself Yogi was trying to protect the accused BJP MLA. It’s not #RamRajya but #RavanRajya under #BhogiAdityanath," he said.
Protest
The BJP on Sunday April 15 staged a protest against Dinesh Gundu Rao for his statement on Yogi Adityanath and demanded strong action against him.
"Congress has not just insulted UP CM Yogi Adityanath, it has also insulted the entire Hindu community. Today, BJP Karnataka General Secretary @ShobhaBJP led a protest against Congress for its anti Hindu remarks," the BJP tweeted.
Moreover, BJP Karnataka general secretary N Ravikumar filed a complaint against the KPCC working president with the Election Commission.
In a tweet on Sunday, the BJP demanded that Election Commission register a case against Dinesh Gundu Rao. ""Rao's statement inciting people to beat Yogi Adityanath with chappals shows Cong's utter contempt for a democratically elected CM. One may vehemently disagree with opponent, but is it right to give a call for violence?
For free elections, EC must register a case under IPC 153A."
It also said it indicated Congress' 'deep hatred' of saffron and 'disregard for law'.
"Rao's statement inciting people to beat Yogi Adityanath with chappals is indicative of:
1. Cong's deep hatred of saffron & anyone who is an unapologetic Hindu
2. Cong's disregard for rule of law. We always knew Cong instigates violence for political gain. Today, evidence is out."