Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 7: Firebrand BJP MLA from Vijayapura and former union minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who is known to get caught in controversies through his reckless statements, was caught on the wrong foot at the assembly session on Saturday March 6, when he claimed that epic Mahabharat was authored by Valmiki, who hailed from a caste that belongs to lower strata of the society.

Speaking during discussions on the constitution, he said that the Hindus needed Vedas. "On being invited, Vyasa authored the Vedas for them. Thereafter, Valmiki who belonged to lower caste, was invited to write an epic," he mistakenly said. Within sometime, he realised his mistake, and corrected his statement by rightly saying that Vyasa was the one who authored Mahabharat.

Basanagouda Patil Yatnal

Yatnal said that the Citizenship Amendment Act passed by the Narendra Modi-led government at the centre is within the purview of the Indian Constitution authored by Dr B R Ambedkar. He said that a systematic conspiracy has been launched against this move, which is tantamount to insulting the constitution.

He launched indirect verabal tirade against Sonia Gandhi and her family by pointing out that only two Gandhis have been given importance in India, one of which is Mahatma Gandhi, and the other is the current Gandhi family. "All other freedom fighters are forgotten," he commented.

Yatnal also said that in fact, Ambedkar should have been the Prime Minister, but this chance was denied to him as he embraced Buddhism. At the same time, he said that Ambedkar had misgivings about freedom fighter, Veer Savarkar, who was handed down 'Kala Paani' punishment by the British twice. The unhappiness of Ambedkar stemmed from the fact that Savarkar was a staunch supporter of Hindu ideals, but Ambedkar agreed with several thoughts and ideas of Savarkar, he added.