Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi. Mar 28: "It is despicable that even after being one of the biggest political parties of the nation, the BJP is still using Hindu - Muslim card for vote bank politics", said Majid Ali, SDPI Karnataka President.
Addressing the media at Udupi Press Club Majd said, "BJP has not done anything for the betterment of the people in the past eight years. Due to this reason, it is still relying on the Hindu - Muslim card for votes. Udupi is a live example of hate politics. On the pretext of being illegal, the BJP has demolished a building which belonged to the Udupi Jamia Masjid. I challenge Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat and the City Municipal Council to release the white papers on this issue. They should answer whether this is the only illegal building present in the entire Udupi. CMC has given it the licence and also collected the taxes on the same building. There was little extension done to the building. It is common. The extension would have been legalised after following certain procedures. BJP is trying to silence our voices by doing such acts and playing hate politics. The current BJP government in the state itself is ruling the state in an illegal way. They have come to power in an illegal manner by purchasing 17 Congress MLAs. This is a 40% commission government" he said.
Speaking about the ban on Muslim traders in temple fairs in the state, Majid Ali said, "This is not a good sign. Few of the allies of the RSS and Sangh Parivar have taken up this issue. This is not between the Hindu - Muslim communities. The state government is also supporting such activities. We should remember that thousands of Hindus and Christians are doing business and have built institutions in various Gulf Islamic nations. State government should immediately stop such developments", he said.
"MLA Raghupati Bhat has provided false information to the House by claiming that Muslim traders have forcefully shut the shops of other communities during the recent bandh against the high court judgement on hijab issue. Not a single violence is reported in the entire state during this bandh. Many shops run by Hindus in the Udupi Jamia Masjid complex were also allowed to operate during this time. No one has forced them to close. Raghupati Bhat should apologise to the House for his false statement made by him. BJP is trying to defame Muslim community and spreading an opinion that the community is not accepting the High court verdict. I want to remind BJP leaders about the violent incidents that took place during the apex court judgement on Sabarimala issue. BJP staged violent protests for one year against the supreme court verdict. They burnt down the police station, damaged buses and created ruckus in the state. BJP after doing all such acts is targeting Muslims," he alleged.
"If MLA Bhat really respects Court orders let him follow the court orders in Kodavoor Kalmath Masjid case. Let him open the Masjid doors according to the court order" he countered.
Nazeer Ahmed, SDPI Udupi president and hotel owner said, "I had submitted an appeal in the court but still the CMC has demolished the building when the case is in the court. There is no difference between me and the Masjid committee. There were issues about pending rents regarding which I have already spoken to the Masjid committee. Through my legal battle, I will make the CMC rebuild the structure and hand it over to me. The MLA himself had said that about 18 more illegal buildings were present in the Udupi CMC limits" he said.
SDPI leaders were present during the press meet.