Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi
Belagavi, Apr 28: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday declared that the Congress party will never succumb to threats or intimidation from the BJP or the RSS, after his speech was interrupted by BJP Mahila Morcha workers during a Congress protest rally in Belagavi.
Addressing a large crowd, Siddaramaiah asserted, "Neither I nor our party workers will bow before the hollow threats of the BJP and RSS. We have the strength to face them openly and will continue our fight without fear."
The chief minister lashed out at the BJP, accusing it of "anti-national governance" and "anti-people policies". Expressing anger over the disruption, Siddaramaiah questioned the BJP’s role in India’s freedom movement. "When Indians were laying down their lives fighting British colonial rule, where was the Sangh Parivar? Why didn't you participate in the freedom struggle?" he asked.
He further criticised the BJP and RSS for their lack of contribution to India's development. "You talk about nationalism, but for 52 years after independence, you couldn’t even hoist the national flag at your offices. Apart from sowing division in society, what have you truly given this country?" he challenged.
The disruption occurred during a protest organised by the Congress against rising fuel and cooking gas prices and the alleged failures of the Central government. As Siddaramaiah was speaking, BJP Mahila Morcha workers began shouting slogans, condemning his earlier statement that "war with Pakistan was not necessary."
Led by a woman activist, the BJP workers accused Siddaramaiah of being insensitive to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including three Kannadigas. As police tried to escort the protestors away, chaos broke out. Congress workers, angered by the disruption, allegedly tried to block police vehicles and attempted to assault the BJP workers.
Despite the police’s efforts, the situation turned tense, forcing organisers to intervene. Congress workers raised slogans hailing their party and condemning the BJP. Amid the commotion, Siddaramaiah demanded to know why police were not acting swiftly, before Congress leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala stepped in and turned off his microphone to calm the situation.
Siddaramaiah, who had earlier called for peace and stronger security measures instead of war following the Pahalgam attack, clarified later that war should be pursued only if absolutely unavoidable.
Meanwhile, BJP Mahila Morcha state president Manjula strongly criticised Siddaramaiah’s conduct, accusing him of intolerance toward dissent. She alleged that the Chief Minister had even attempted to assault a police officer and condemned the "vindictive filing of false FIRs" against BJP legislators.
Manjula maintained that the Belagavi protest was a legitimate response to the Chief Minister’s "insensitive" remarks about the terror attack victims.