Taking serious exception to the statement issued by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the international conference on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar held in Bengaluru that the State government would take stern action against pro-Hindutva groups, K.S. Eshwarappa, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, has alleged that the convention was misused by the Congress leaders to create social rift for political gains.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Siddaramaiah is repeatedly blaming the Sangh Parivar for the communal flare-up in Dakshina Kannada district, but has maintained silence on the killings of pro-Hindutva activists there by a few anti-national elements.To appease the Minorities for political gains, the Congress leaders have put pressure on the police not to arrest the persons responsible for these murders, he told presspersons here on Monday. He said the CM is under the illusion that by issuing provoking statements against pro-Hindutva groups, he could garner the votes of Minorities in the Assembly polls.
Referring to the statement issued by Mr. Siddaramaiah that there were some elements in the police who support the Hindutva ideology, he said the police force is being demoralised for electoral gains.
Commenting on the 40 recommendations that figured in the Bengaluru Declaration passed at the convention , he said that to conceal its failure of taking affirmative measures for the welfare of oppressed communities during its 54 years rule at the Centre, the Congress is now playing mere lip sympathy for the oppressed communities. It is unfortunate that instead of initiating discussion on issues like social harmony and inclusive growth, the Congress leaders have misused the international convention on Dr. Ambedkar to create rift in the name of religion and caste for their personal gains, he said.