Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Feb 21: Leader of opposition in the state Assembly and former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday February 20 said that stopping anyone from following their cultural practices and beliefs was wrong, and that both Hijab and vermilion (kumkum) must be allowed.
"Both acts of sporting vermilion on forehead and wearing Hijab on head are part of our culture and belief system. Following these rituals and practices causes no harm to anyone. It is not right to prevent any tradition by force," he said.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Siddaramaiah said, "Hijab has been worn by Muslim women from ages. However, it is not a tradition to wear saffron shawl. It is really cruel to make students wear saffron shawls only with the intention of opposing Hijab. This is an insult to saffron shawl. It should not be used for inhuman and uncivilized purposes.
"BJP has intentionally blown the Hijab-shawl issue out of proportion. It is not right to wear saffron shawl just because Muslim girls wear hijab. Society is being divided by BJP. It is doing this for political mileage. One should have humanity. Hijab is being worn by Muslims for ages. Let it continue. This is a ploy to deprive Muslim girl students from obtaining education," said Siddaramaiah.
On the controversial statement on hoisting the saffron flag made by Eshwarappa, he said, "If BJP had any real sense of patriotism towards our National Flag, they would have fought for India’s freedom holding the Tricolour. They did not partake in the freedom movement. They never raised the National Flag against the British. Their mentality is against the National Flag," he said.
"We asked the ruling BJP government whether the National Flag is more important to them or the ministerial position of Eshwarappa. BJP is hell bent on retaining Eshwarappa as minister even after his anti-national statement. Insulting National Flag and emblems is treachery. We oppose the stance of BJP that no one should question them even if they insult the National Flag or violate the law.
"Insulting the Tricolour may be a trivial matter for the BJP, but for us it is a serious matter. Lacs of people have sacrificed their lives holding the National Flag high. As members of BJP do not know the value of freedom struggle, they do not know the value of martyrs as well as the Flag," he said.
"We have more experience than Bommai in protests and agitations. We know the sacrifice and martyrdom attained by our people during freedom fight. If he asks us to tolerate the insult meted out to our national flag, we are not ready to do so. We will fight inside and outside the Assembly.
Responding to the statement of CM Bommai that Congress does not have the moral right to be in opposition, Siddaramaiah said, "Is Bommai a Vedist? Should I listen to what Bommai says? I am senior to Bommai in politics. BJP's mindset is against the Constitution. That is why we are holding day-night agitation."