Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah has alleged that Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has been giving irresponsible statements that could damage the social fabric of the State and urged him to stop giving such statements.
The Home Minister has given an irresponsible statement about the killing of Gouripalya Chandru, a young man in Bengaluru. He has claimed that he was killed as he was not willing to speak Urdu. And then in a few hours, he gives a different statement. This will create several problems, Mr. Siddaramaiah told journalists in Hubballi on Wednesday. He was leaving for the launch of some programmes in Badami.
“Mr. Jnanendra is giving such statements because he lacks experience. He lacks the eligibility to manage a sensitive department like the Home Ministry,’’ he said.
Mr Jnanendra should realise the gravity of the law and order situation and stop making irresponsible statements, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
To a query, Mr Siddaramaiah said he condemns all kinds of hate crimes. I condemn the killing of Hindus and Muslims alike. I will condemn it when a Hindu is killed or when a Muslim is killed. However, I will speak out when the Government does not treat the two cases equally, he said.
The BJP is damaging the law and order of the State and disturbing peace in society, he said. The BJP has no achievement to show the people. That is why it is diverting attention from real issues like price rise, inflation, and maladministration, he said.
“BJP leaders are raising divisive issues like hijab, halal, economic boycott, and even sale of mango fruits. For decades, farmers have been selling fruits to Muslim traders. Similarly, meat eaters like us have been consuming halal meat. How can such practices be stopped because a political party is trying to benefit by dividing the people on communal lines?’’ he said.
