Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 24: In a strong display of solidarity with the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a candlelight protest near its State Office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening.
The protest, led by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, witnessed participation from several prominent party leaders, MLAs, MLCs, and workers. Addressing the media, Ashoka vehemently condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act aimed at derailing the peace and prosperity ushered into Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
Recalling his visit to Kashmir two years ago, Ashoka said, “The region was thriving. Locals, especially Muslims, had expressed how their livelihoods had significantly improved — some earning Rs 10,000 a day through boating and tourism.”
He alleged that a Pakistan-based terror outfit orchestrated the massacre of over 20 tourists in Pahalgam to sabotage the development narrative in the region. “Pakistan-backed elements cannot tolerate India’s growth story in Kashmir. They want to send a message to the world that Kashmir is not peaceful,” he claimed.
Ashoka further stated that Muslim traders were left unharmed in the attack, hinting at targeted violence. “This is not just a national issue, it’s a warning for Karnataka too,” he said, pointing out the rising concerns over illegal immigration in the state.
“The terrorists aren’t targeting a nation — their targets are Hindus. This fact must be acknowledged,” Ashoka asserted, lauding the Indian armed forces and the Centre for their robust response to such threats.
During the protest, BJP leaders and supporters lit candles, wore black badges, and displayed posters with poignant messages. One of the posters read: “Before firing the bullet, he won’t ask which caste, party, language, or state you belong to. He will ask just one thing — whether you are a Hindu.”
Senior leaders including BJP MP P.C. Mohan, MLC C.T. Ravi, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Bengaluru North District President S. Harish, Central District President Saptagiri Gowda, and several other key functionaries joined the protest to express their grief and condemnation.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Bengaluru South District unit organised a separate silent tribute event, paying homage to those killed in the brutal attack. The programme saw participation from RSS Joint General Secretary N. Tippeswamy, District President C.K. Ramamurthy, Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya, State Spokesperson Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, and former BBMP members.