BJP leader and MLA Anil Benake has opposed the trend of economic boycott of Muslims, saying that it is discriminatory and against the spirit of the Constitution. He is the second BJP leader to speak against economic boycott of Muslims, after BJP MLC Adaguru H. Vishwanath decried it during his recent visit to Gokak.
“Leaders of some organisations are saying that they will enforce an economic boycott of Muslim traders who set shop around Hindu temples. This is unacceptable. How can you say that buyers should visit only some shops and not others? That is wrong. The Government cannot enforce such rules. Nor can any organisation do that,’’ he said.
“If anyone tries to enforce such unconstitutional boycott, we will stop it,’’ he warned. He was speaking to journalists at a SSLC examination centre in Belagavi on Monday.
Mr. Benake represents the Muslim-dense Belagavi North Assembly Constituency.
“The Constitution guarantees equality and equal opportunities to every citizen. We cannot forget this fact. We have to live by the spirit of the Constitution,’’ Mr. Benake, who is also a practising lawyer, said.
To a query, the Maratha community leader said that the demand by the Maratha community that a legislator from their community be made a Minister is valid. “Member of Legislative Assembly Srimanth Patil was not included in the recent Cabinet reshuffle. He should be included. I am also an aspirant for a Cabinet berth,’’ he said.
