Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 22: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah stated that it is impossible to transform India into a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

He was speaking during the Bhavaikyatha Samavesha and installation ceremony of district Congress minority wing president held at Town Hall on Monday, February 22.

"RSS is planning to transform India into a Hindu Rashtra, but that is not impossible as the Constitution does not allow it. The Constitution gives equal rights to everyone irrespective of religion. If there was no unity, the banking sector, education sector, health sector, civilization would not have grown. Let RSS speaks about their contribution towards independence when they speak about patriotism," he said.

"I urge people not to listen to PFI and SDPI as they indirectly support BJP. Do not be the victim of their conspiracy which strengthens BJP by the division of secular votes. If there is any evidence against PFI and SDPI in DJ Halli and KG Halli violence, then BJP should ban these organizations. They always question the contribution of Congress towards the development of minorities. The schemes introduced by Congress were never limited to any section of the society or to any religion. During the Congress rule, we had allotted Rs 3,150 crore to the minorities which came down to Rs 800 crore under the BJP government," the former CM said.

"BJP is against the Constitution and are in power. But only those who respect the Constitution should be in power. Ananth Kumar Hegde delivered a statement about changing the Constitution. Ananth Kumar Hegde is unfit to even be a gram panchayat member. I had become the chief minister because of the Constitution not because someone felt pity for me, similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister because of the Constitution. Why did Narendra Modi or Amit Shah not take any action against Ananth Kumar Hegde, did he not spew a provocative statement?" Siddaramaiah said.

"Consumption of beef is just another food habit, it is left to those who consume it why should anyone question it? I have not consumed beef, If I have to, I will, who are people to question it? BJP is the one who allows the export of beef, until we uproot BJP there will be no peace. The price of commodities has skyrocketed, where are the 'achhe din' as promised by Modi. The 56-inch chest of Modi does not matter, he needs to have a heart that loves people," said Siddarammiah.

"Other than Muslims, even Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis are all minorities. While these are religious minorities, Hindus are religious majorities. The coastal belt has become a laboratory of communalism for the sake of politics. It is the duty and responsibility of people to condemn those who practice communalism. We should know that communalism cannot bring peace and harmony. No religion teaches to hate other religion. Selfishness has led to the spread of propaganda and the minds of people have been diverted," said Siddaramaiah.

KPCC working president, Saleem Ahmed inaugurated the Bhavaikyatha Samavesha.

Speaking on the occasion, Saleem Ahmed said, "The youth plays a very important role in maintaining peace and harmony. The district minority wing president Sahul Hameed has a huge responsibility to build the party and bring people into confidence. Congress has a long history of 135 years, the party has fought during independence and has always responded to the problems of the people even when it is in power or not. However, we are confident that the party will come back into power in the state and centre and Rahul Gandhi will become Prime Minister."

"The promises made by the BJP government have not been fulfilled for six years. BJP has come to power by manipulating people and spreading lies. Karnataka has 25 MPs who behave like a lion in state and like a cat in front of Modi. We will protest if they are conspiring to abolish minority reservations. BJP government has proved that it is anti-minority. It was proven when they slashed the funds for minorities from Rs 3,000 crore to 800 crore, along with revoking the scholarships for minorities," he added.

District minority wing president, Sahul Hameed welcomed the gathering.

District Congress president, Harish Kumar, MLA U T Khader, Congress leader, B K Hariprasad, former MLA, J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava, district Youth Congress president, Luqman Bantwal, former Youth Congress president, Mithun Rai, former MLA, Abhayachandra Jain, Shakuntala Shetty and others were present.