Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/MS)

Udupi, Sep 13: “If they (BJP) demolish temples it is not a big issue. It seems like they have taken the contract of Hindutva? It seems that we have to take a certificate of Hindutva. Maybe a law will come into effect in the future. How is it okay to demolish a center which is revered by so many devotees?” questioned Vinay Kumar Sorake, senior leader of Congress on Monday September 13.

Sorake was responding to the media on the issue of demolition of temples in Mysuru by the city corporation. He further said, “When former chief minister Siddaramaiah tried to bring law against superstition, it became a big issue. All said that we cannot ring bells, Nema and Kola will stop. Yediyurappa’s government implemented the same law without even changing one word of it. If BJP does anything that is fine. So it seems it has taken Hindutva on contract basis.``

Reacting to the raid by HJV on a prayer center in Karkala, Sorake said, “This is a perfect example for no governance and lawlessness in the state. Instead of taking law into their own hands, they could have approached the issue legally. Now this has started from Karkala. If it is real conversion, there is a law for it. The government is that of BJP only. Let them take action. Always thought should be given to what has really taken place? Instead of that it is not right to have raided the prayer center all of a sudden. Will the same atrocity continue? Is this the behaviour of BJP? Then what is the need for government and in-charge ministers?

“We have to build the nation. The nation should survive. We have to tolerate it. Leadership should remain. Even if they are selling the assets of the country that were protected for 70 years, we need to cooperate. All works done by the opposition are anti-national. We also had one appeal. But the government has not responded to it. Those who want to build the nation let them buy petrol at Rs 200 per litre. Give us at Rs 100 per litre,” said Sorake.

Responding to the arrival of Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar on a bullock cart to attend the assembly session, Sorake said, “Then which mode of transport should they use? This BJP government had agreed to give diesel and petrol at Rs 30 per litre. The cost of crude oil was $108 per barrel. Now it is $71. Why are the prices not reduced? When the Congress government was at the center, MPs of BJP rolled on the street like gas cylinders when the price of cooking gas was increased from Rs 300 to Rs 355. Now when it is sold at Rs 885, no one speaks.”