Vijayendra announces major protest against ‘anti-Hindu’ Congress government, attacks state over Bidadi land issue
Haveri/Bengaluru, July 16: BJP Karnataka state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday said a major protest had been organised against what he called the “anti-Hindu” Congress government in the state, accusing it of supporting “communal forces” and pursuing appeasement politics.
Speaking to the media in Haveri, Vijayendra said that since the Congress government came to power, “continuous atrocities” were being committed against Hindus in the state. He alleged that killings were taking place and claimed that Karnataka had become “like a paradise for communal forces” because of the state government’s minority appeasement politics.
He alleged that such forces had gained confidence that the Congress government would come to their protection regardless of the atrocities or murders committed, and said this had led to an increase in such incidents.
Referring to an incident in Haveri, Vijayendra alleged that Lohith Kurubar and his friends were subjected to a murderous assault for bursting crackers during the Hori Bedarisu festival, and said one of their hands had been chopped off. He also referred to the “brutal murder” of Shivaji Rao in Rattehalli. Similar incidents had taken place in Koppal and Yellapur as well, he alleged, adding that the government was filing cases against the victims themselves.
On SIR, Vijayendra said BJP workers across the state had accepted it as a challenge. He said he had toured Kalyana Karnataka in connection with the issue. Despite what he described as the state government’s conspiracy and intrigue, party workers were revising voter lists, he said. He also condemned the government’s reported move to issue Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to illegal migrants.
Targeting the Congress government on farmers’ issues, Vijayendra alleged that it was indifferent to the farming community. He said it had taken 24 months to repair the crest gate of the Tungabhadra dam at Hospete, but accused the Chief Minister of moving quickly after assuming office to “snatch” farmers’ land in Bidadi.
He alleged that goondas were arriving overnight and issuing threats, while on the other hand the Chief Minister was staging a “deceptive drama” by saying land would be acquired only if farmers agreed to give it. Vijayendra further claimed that the Chief Minister owned thousands of acres of land and that his relatives too owned land. He urged the government not to displace farmers and warned that the government could fall victim to the “curse of farmers”.
Vijayendra also appealed to Rahul Gandhi to condemn what he described as the Chief Minister’s stance.
He announced that on Thursday, all BJP MLAs, MPs, MLCs, former MLAs and former Legislative Council members would hold a major protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru against what he called the Congress government’s anti-farmer policy.
On the proposal for Karnataka’s second airport, Vijayendra alleged that it too was being taken to Kanakapura. He said he would write to the Chief Minister on the matter. According to him, an airport established around Tumakuru would benefit central and north Karnataka, and government land was ready for the purpose. He criticised any move to take the airport to Kanakapura for what he called “real estate business”, terming it an unpardonable offence.
He also said farmers were facing distress due to drought and urged the government to come to their aid. Vijayendra criticised the fact that the state still did not have an Agriculture Minister, calling it unfortunate. He said it was not enough for the Chief Minister to sit in an air-conditioned room in Bengaluru, obtain reports and write to the Prime Minister, and urged him instead to send ministers to districts to understand farmers’ problems and consider state relief measures.
Replying to a question, Vijayendra alleged that the state government had taken up work in Bidadi that was disturbing the peace of farmers there. He said there was no need to form a committee on the issue and demanded that the government announce a farmer-friendly decision.
About the Author
