Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Dec 19: Amid rising tension over the burning of Kannada flag in Maharashtra by MES activists and the subsequent desecration of Shivaji statue in Bengaluru and Sangolli Rayanna statue in Belagavi in retaliation, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday December 19 urged the Karnataka government to be conciliatory towards pro-Kannada activists.

Taking to Twitter, Kumarasawmy said, "Let no one take advantage of the situation in Belagavi. The state government should not show its power on the pro-Kannada activists. On the contrary, it should take stringent action against the traitors who have vandalised the statue of Sangolli Rayanna who is our proud asset.

"The unnecessary statement by Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray regarding disfiguring the statue of Shivaji in Bengaluru is not acceptable. What is the point of trying to throw away the federal system of the country being a chief minister?" he questioned.

"Let us respect Shivaji Maharaj. But why are the Maharashtrians showing negligence and disrespect to freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna? What can we say about the pervert minds who have vandalised the statue of Sangolli Rayanna who fought for the freedom of this country?

"It is better if Uddhav Thackeray understands as to whose minds are perverted. As Shivaji is important to you, so is Sangolli Rayanna for us. Why did you not understand this fact?" he said.

"It is cowardly to pelt stones at vehicles under the cover of darkness. Vandalization ofa great patriot and brave fighter Sangolli Rayanna’s statue is an act of perverseness. It is really ironic that the chief minister of Maharashtra is defending such a cowardly act," Kumaraswamy said.