From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Belagavi, Nov 9: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai attacked the opposition Congress party’s double standards on party leader Satish Jarkiholi’s controversial statement on the meaning of Hindu and wanted to know why the party is not taking any action if it believes the statement is wrong.
Speaking to media persons at Rayabag in Belagavi on the BJP Jan Sankalpa Yatra, Bommai said it is surprising that KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar admits that Satish Jarkiholi’s statement is wrong while Congress opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah remains non-committal even as Satish Jarkiholi declares that there is no question of withdrawing his statement and that he is ready for a debate.
“Why this confusion and double standards in the Congress party. Either the party should declare that they agree with the statement or take action against Satish Jarkiholi if it disagrees with him,’’ he said pointing out that India is a country with majority of Hindu population and the Hindu religion includes even Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the party cannot afford to hurt the sentiments of majority of the people.
The Chief Minister said the double standards of a hundred year old party is baffling. “They have been continuously keeping the people confused and rule the country. The Congress former president Rahul Gandhi is silent on the issue. He visits temples and offers pujas and when his partymen make controversial statements, he remains silent indirectly lending support,’’ he said.
Responding to Satish Jarkiholi’s statement that he is prepared to resign if his statement on the meaning of Hindu was proved to be wrong, the Chief Minister challenged the Congress leader to disclose the source and basis for his statement. It is common to find diverse and even opposite information on different issues in the internet and it is the individual’s responsibility to weigh the facts and authenticity first, he said.
Bommai said Satish Jarkiholi is likely to face the consequences of his controversial statement and the people will make their own decisions.