From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 9: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D K Shivakumar has strongly condemned the attempts by vested interests to poison young and impressionable minds for narrow political gains by exploiting the controversy over wearing hijab by Muslim girls in schools and colleges.

Speaking to media representatives in Bengaluru on Wednesday, February 9, he vehemently denied the charge by Home Minister Araga Jnanendra that Congress party was behind the hijab row and asked the minister to disclose names of those spewing venom and poisoning young minds in Shivamogga and Mandya districts.

Shivakumar asked the State Government to disclose the names of people who had brought 50 lakh saffron shawls from Surat in Gujarat and who is behind the overnight distribution of saffron petas and claimed that he has information that a Cabinet minister’s son was responsible for distributing saffron shawls and petas in Shivamogga district.

“This conspiracy to poison the minds of students for political gains must be stopped and it is not correct to spoil the future of students for political purposes,” he said and advised that political parties can fight on issues during elections.

“It is not correct and justified to create unnecessary controversies. The students must be given an opportunity to develop their talents, become scientists or achieve great things. Let us not create a divide between castes and religions. This will hurt not just the students but their parents too,” Shivakumar said.

The KPCC Chief strongly condemned the hoisting of saffron flags on a flag pole in the Government First Grade College campus by some saffron shawl wearing students amid cheers by similar students. The flag post in the government college is meant for hoisting the national flag and no other flags. The government must take stringent action against such incidents, he said.

Answering questions, the KPCC Chief said he believes in respecting all religions, the Constitution and national flag. “The Constitution is as sacred as the Bhagwad Gita, Quran and Bible. I am bound by the oath I took when I became an MLA. I am a born Hindu. But I respect all religions equally. I pray to god daily and offer pooja in the morning. Can anybody say I cannot do it or prevent others from having kumkum on their forehead or wear jewellery on their nose or ears,’’ he asked.

To a question on Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi’s statement that it is the right of women to decide whether to wear bikini, goonghat, jeans or hijab, Shivakumar said the Priyanka Gandhi has merely stated the constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen, including women.