Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Karkala (DV)
Updated
Mangaluru, Feb 19: Revenue minister R Ashok on Saturday, February 19 hitting out at Congress leaders over the Hijab-saffron shawl row said that there is difference of opinion between KPCC president D K Shivakumar and opposition leader Siddaramaiah which has caused conflict in the Congress party.
"While D K Shivakumar is not allowing Congress leaders to say that they are in favour of students demanding Hijab, Siddaramaiah is not allowing them to say that they are in favour of Hindus," Ashok claimed.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting at zilla panchayath hall here. The above statement was in answer to a question on Congress demanding the resignation of minister Eshwarappa over the latter's remark on hoisting saffron flag at Red Fort.
"Why are they not raising the Hijab-saffron shawl issue in the Assembly? Assembly session is being conducted to discuss people's problems. Congress should be concerned that lacs of students are not going to college at this moment. Where is that concern? They should have raised the Hijab-saffron shawl issue in the Assembly. Why are they not raising this issue? It is because they know that they will lose their votes," he said.
He also said that the Congress party has decided not to engage in any work that may compromise its vote bank. "Hence, they are into Eshwarappa's issue. They don't have anything other than this," he said.
"This is just greed. This is all about Eshwarappa, Siddaramaiah, and D K Shivakumar. For three people the entire Assembly session is getting wasted. One day's Assembly session costs Rs 1 crore. This is the taxpayers' money. They are sleeping at Vidhana Soudha taking taxpayers' money. What is the meaning of this? Is not fooling the people?" he said.
Slamming Congress leaders further, Ashok said, "After taking people's money you are not ready to raise people's problems in the Assembly. Are you coming to the Assembly to scuffle? Vidhana Soudha was built to discuss the problems of the poor, not to do Kusti (wrestling) there.
"Congress should clear its stand on Hijab-saffron shawl row. Students should return to colleges. People should realise that students are going to colleges for education and not to propagate religion. In the future people will chase away Congress from Karnataka for showing dishonour to the Vidhana Sabha," he said.
Karkala: ISIS behind Hijab issue, claims minister
The minister speaking to reporters here on Saturday claimed that international organizations were involved in 'conspiring' the Hijab issue.
The minister is here as part of the village stay programme. He arrived here after his visit to Mangaluru earlier in the day.
"Muslim girls are not to be blamed. There are many people behind the Hijab issue. Overseas organizations are involved in this conspiracy," he said.
"How did the protest that began in Udupi go international? Who is working at this pace to spread it so fast? ISIS and KFD are very much behind this protest," he claimed.
"Children go to school for studying. They must understand that they are not going for religious propaganda. You do anything in your home, but in college concentrate only on studies.
"ISIS has asked the local organizations to initiate protest for Hijab. As students are involved, we will not interfere much. Suitable actions will be taken in phases. Comprehensive investigation needs to be done with regard to the Hijab issue. I will speak to the chief minister on this subject. Terrorists and vested interests behind this conspiracy have to be brought to light."