Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan (SP)
Hassan, Apr 7: One has heard statements and counter-statements emanating after BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi allegedly made rabid remarks against a minority community and consequently Congress leader Kagodu Timmappa threatened to chop off hands of those who declare allegiance to Hindutva ideologies. As if the dust created by this statement is not enough and amidst complaints against these inflammatory statements, BJP MLA from Honnali M P Renukacharya warned that the heads of those out to chop of hands of Hindus would be severed.
On Monday April 6, Renukacharya, who is facing the risk of being booked and sent to jail for the above speech, and has received warning from Chief Minister Yeddyurappa not to make any statement that might ruffle the sentiments of people, reiterated in Davangere that he is committed to what he said and that he was prepared to go to jail for the same. He also claimed, he had not spoken against any of the majority or minority communities and that the Election Commission has mis-interpreted his statement. He expressed his resentment at the duality of the EC which has failed to register a criminal case against Kagodu Timmappa but at the same time, is trying to book him. "I only said that the heads of those who want to chop off hands of Hindus should be severed. How can this statement flare up communal passions?" he questioned.
After railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said that he would have crushed Varun Gandhi under a road roller for his provocative statements, BJP MLA from Chikmagalur C T Ravi jumped into the bandwagon of hate speechers, by warning on Monday April 6, "we will perform the post-death rituals of those who raise their hands to chop off hands of the people who are committed to Hindutva ideals".
Speaking at Sakleshpur at a meeting organized to campaign for the BJP Lok Sabha candidate, Ravi said that Hindutva is the cultural heritage of the country and no one can question this. He said unfortunately, the attitude of slaying Hindus that had hitherto been confined to Kashmir alone, has spread to other parts of India. "The Congress and the JD(S) have been the cause for the ghost of terrorism to spread its tentacles in the state. We need to get rid of this ghost," he added.
Among this entire din, the request made by Janardhan Poojary, Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Mangalore, to the concerned to come out with apologies, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.