UDUPI/BENGALURU: In near-coordinated statements in a bid to stem the rising tide of targeted hate campaigns, CM Basavaraj Bommai and his predecessor BS Yediyurappa on Monday sent out a strong warning to fringe groups stoking communal tension in the state and said the government will not tolerate if they breached the line.
Breaking his silence, Yediyurappa said Hindus and Muslims should live like brothers and added that “Muslims, too, should be allowed to live a life of dignity”.
The CM said, “People have the right to propagate their thoughts, but we have issued a message that the government will not tolerate if people resorted to violence. People are free to analyse the recent developments in any way they want, but our government, formed in accordance with the Constitution, is working with the premise that everyone is equal and will give priority to maintaining peace and order in the state.”
In the wake of opposition leader Siddaramaiah’s criticism, Bommai said: “I may not be speaking, but my actions do. We should not speak, our work should. We’ve been taking necessary decisions and action at appropriate times. We need not learn from Siddaramaiah how to function.” He denied suggestions that recent controversies were hurting investments coming into Karnataka.
Yediyurappa recalled that he, as CM, had warned fringe Hindu groups of legal action when they tried to target the Muslim community during the 1st wave of Covid.
CM: No question of investors going back
In Manipal, Bommai dismissed as baseless allegations that these incidents were affecting the FDI inflow in the IT sector. “We have seen the highest FDI inflow into the state in the last three quarters. Forty-three percent of the country’s FDI flow reached Karnataka in the last quarter. Investments are flowing from all corners of the world. There is no question of investors going back,” the CM said confidently.
Making an appeal to maintain communal harmony in the state, BJP strongman Yediyurappa said, “Few miscreants are causing disturbance in society. I have spoken to CM Bommai. He has promised legal action against miscreants. I will also give a piece of advice to people that they should get busy with their work, without bothering about agendas to create unrest in society.”
Yediyurappa said when he was the CM, he had warned fringe Hindu groups of legal action when they tried to target the Muslim community during Covid first wave. “Hindus and Muslims should live like brothers. They should stop acts causing disharmony and let everyone, including Muslims, live with respect and honour,” he said.
On reports that some fringe Hindu groups have set up ‘a taskforce’ to counter love-jihad, Bommai said, “….people are doing certain things for their protection, but there is a law for everything, a few of them were enacted by previous governments; we are not doing anything new. Everything has to happen in accordance with law and ensuring it is our responsibility.”
We know how to maintain law and order, says Bommai
He also alleged that Congress had dropped many murder cases registered against members of certain organizations in the state when they were in power. “Where was their conscious when they dropped murder cases? We know how to maintain law and order and uphold peace and harmony. Ours is a pro-development state. We know very well how to maintain these standards and have been doing it efficiently. Several Hindu youths were murdered when Congress was in power,” he charged.
UDUPI/BENGALURU: In near-coordinated statements in a bid to stem the rising tide of targeted hate campaigns, CM Basavaraj Bommai and his predecessor BS Yediyurappa on Monday sent out a strong warning to fringe groups stoking communal tension in the state and said the government will not tolerate if they breached the line. Breaking his silence, Yediyurappa said Hindus and Muslims should live like brothers and added that “Muslims, too, should be allowed to live a life of dignity”. The CM said, “People have the right to propagate their thoughts, but we have issued a message that the government will not tolerate if people resorted to violence. People are free to analyse the recent developments in any way they want, but our government, formed in accordance with the Constitution, is working with the premise that everyone is equal and will give priority to maintaining peace and order in the state.” In the wake of opposition leader Siddaramaiah’s criticism, Bommai said: “I may not be speaking, but my actions do. We should not speak, our work should. We’ve been taking necessary decisions and action at appropriate times. We need not learn from Siddaramaiah how to function.” He denied suggestions that recent controversies were hurting investments coming into Karnataka. Yediyurappa recalled that he, as CM, had warned fringe Hindu groups of legal action when they tried to target the Muslim community during the 1st wave of Covid. CM: No question of investors going back In Manipal, Bommai dismissed as baseless allegations that these incidents were affecting the FDI inflow in the IT sector. “We have seen the highest FDI inflow into the state in the last three quarters. Forty-three percent of the country’s FDI flow reached Karnataka in the last quarter. Investments are flowing from all corners of the world. There is no question of investors going back,” the CM said confidently. Making an appeal to maintain communal harmony in the state, BJP strongman Yediyurappa said, “Few miscreants are causing disturbance in society. I have spoken to CM Bommai. He has promised legal action against miscreants. I will also give a piece of advice to people that they should get busy with their work, without bothering about agendas to create unrest in society.” Yediyurappa said when he was the CM, he had warned fringe Hindu groups of legal action when they tried to target the Muslim community during Covid first wave. “Hindus and Muslims should live like brothers. They should stop acts causing disharmony and let everyone, including Muslims, live with respect and honour,” he said. On reports that some fringe Hindu groups have set up ‘a taskforce’ to counter love-jihad, Bommai said, “….people are doing certain things for their protection, but there is a law for everything, a few of them were enacted by previous governments; we are not doing anything new. Everything has to happen in accordance with law and ensuring it is our responsibility.” We know how to maintain law and order, says BommaiHe also alleged that Congress had dropped many murder cases registered against members of certain organizations in the state when they were in power. “Where was their conscious when they dropped murder cases? We know how to maintain law and order and uphold peace and harmony. Ours is a pro-development state. We know very well how to maintain these standards and have been doing it efficiently. Several Hindu youths were murdered when Congress was in power,” he charged.