Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP/JD)
Udupi, May 18: An incident initially hailed as a symbol of communal harmony, where Muslim women supposedly helped an elderly Hindu woman avail of a house plot, has now turned into a political controversy, with BJP leaders terming it a "fake drama."
BJP Udupi city women's wing president Neeta Prabhu alleged that the elderly Hindu woman is actually the mother of the Muslim women, who reportedly converted to Islam after marriage.
"Two hijab-wearing women brought a Hindu woman to the residence of the district in-charge minister, claiming to be her neighbours, and requested a house plot for her. The minister, without verifying the facts, delivered a blunt sermon on harmony to Udupi BJP workers. The elderly woman, Girija Shettigar, was actually brought by her own daughters who have converted to Islam. By lying to the minister that they were neighbours, they have embarrassed her," Neeta Prabhu stated.
She further criticized the minister, stating, "A hasty Lakshmi Hebbalkar, without thinking ahead, made a speech about harmony to the media and was ridiculed. The people of Udupi do not need to learn about harmony from an in-charge minister who comes from Belagavi."
"Society needs to seriously consider the mentality of people who call their own mother a neighbour for publicity. The in-charge minister, who comes to the district as a guest and often neglects it, should stop criticizing the BJP for empty publicity. Such irresponsible statements do not suit Lakshmi Hebbalkar," she added.
MLA Yashpal Suvarna demands apology
Meanwhile, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna also alleged that the burqa-clad women misled the district in-charge minister by presenting false information regarding the land issue.
Speaking to the media, the MLA termed the act of introducing one's own mother as a neighbour to submit a grievance "unforgivable" and "deceitful." He questioned why the minister was in such a hurry to react without verifying the facts and accused district in-charge minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar of viewing BJP representatives with a biased mindset.
He further alleged that attempts were being made to portray BJP leaders as communal forces. "The minister lectured BJP leaders about communal harmony before the media without knowing the truth, which eventually placed her in an embarrassing situation. Elected representatives of this district do not need lessons on communal harmony from a minister coming from Belagavi," Suvarna said, demanding a high-level investigation into the incident.
Suvarna stated that the five BJP MLAs and the MP from Udupi district have never asked visitors to their offices about their caste or religion, nor have they discriminated against anyone. However, he asserted that the BJP would never compromise on issues related to nationalism and its opposition to "anti-Hindutva forces."
In a controversial remark, the MLA added that a situation may arise in the future where special monitoring would be required for people wearing burqas or hijabs in government offices.
He demanded an immediate apology from the minister for her "insulting remarks" against the BJP and warned of staging protests during her future visits to the district if such "irresponsible statements" continue.