Bengaluru: R. Ashoka, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Leader of Opposition, has raised serious concerns about the safety of Hindus in Karnataka, accusing the Congress-led government of fostering an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka asserted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s administration has failed to protect Hindus, alleging a lenient approach towards terrorist activities. He pointed to incidents such as the removal of Hanuman flags and assaults on individuals chanting religious slogans as evidence of the deteriorating situation.
Ashoka warned of street protests if stringent measures, such as invoking the Goonda Act against attackers and filing sedition charges, are not implemented promptly by the authorities. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, citing a recent incident where youths were assaulted for chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram.’
Accusing the Congress government of indirectly endorsing thuggery and terrorism, Ashoka criticized its handling of law and order issues, particularly regarding the safety of Hindus. He expressed concern that perpetrators might escape justice, citing the possibility of being released without proper charges.
Furthermore, Ashoka highlighted remarks made by Congress MP D.K. Suresh regarding national division, suggesting that such rhetoric emboldens fundamentalists and exacerbates tensions in Karnataka.
In response to these allegations, BJP workers staged protests outside the Vidyaranyapura police station, demanding swift action, including the enforcement of the Goonda Act and sedition charges against the accused. The growing unrest underscores the escalating political and communal tensions in the region.