Image: Twitter/@JCMBJP
Senior Karnataka minister JC Madhuswamy has warned “extreme fringe groups of strict action” if the situation in the state “went out of hand” as per multiple news reports. Madhuswamy is in- charge of law and parliamentary affairs in the Basavaraj Bommai cabinet, and is the first senior BJP minister share his disappointment as anti-Muslim activities from the controversy around Halal and boycott of non-Hindu traders at temple fairs have kept the state under the global spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
According to a report in The Telegraph, Karnataka law minister JC Madhuswamy also promised strict action against those who attacked Muslim vendors and vandalised their merchandise. Madhuswamy’s open assurances are in direct contrast with Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s abstinence from condemning the attacks by Saffron groups on Muslims in his state. All that Bommai has said so far is that “action will speak”. He has not yet detailed what that “action” is.
However, it is now public that the CM is now heading the BJP’s 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections team. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the BJP “set up three teams headed by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, state unit president, Nalin Kateel, and national general secretary and incharge of the state, Arun Singh.” Each of these teams are expected to “visit all the assembly constituencies over the next 10 days and meet party workers and take stock of the issues on the ground” stated the report. However, so far they have yet to respond to their own senior colleague such as Madhuswamy who has reportedly called the attacks “uncivilised acts, but once such incidents take place we need to find the right solution.” He also “assured equality to all citizens of the state as enshrined in the Constitution” stated in the news report.
He was speaking to the media in the Nippani town of Belagavi district and said, “The state will take strict action against fringe groups which are creating trouble if the situation further worsened. All those who chose to stay back in India after Independence are Indians. This country belongs to everyone. I don’t see any meaning in creating a controversy about that now. The state will not give any quarter for such fringe elements (to stoke controversies).”
He added that while the Constitution guaranteed every citizen the right to live, conduct business and practise her religion, “It has not given the right to anyone to defame communities in public.”
Meanwhile, according to a report in The News Minute, on Monday, April 11, both CM Basavaraj Bommai and the ex-CM BS Yediyurappa, also “assured action against fringe elements for taking law into their hands in the state.” According to ex-CM Yediyurappa, “Hindus and Muslims should live like brothers. They should stop acts causing disharmony and let everyone, including Muslims, live with respect and honour. Few miscreants are causing disturbance in society. I have spoken to CM Bommai. He has assured of 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 the society.” He claimed that when he was the CM, he had warned Hindu groups of “legal action” if they targeted the Muslim community during the first wave of the Coronavirus, stated the news report. Yediyurappa told the media, “We have to live together and see to it that such incidents don’t repeat here…let’s stop all these and do our jobs. Muslims also should lead a peaceful and respectful life.”
In April 2020, Yediyurappa had said, “If anyone blames the entire Muslim community for some isolated incident, I’ll take action against them also without a second thought.” He was speaking about the spread of Coronavirus cases, which was then pinned on the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi. According to an India Today report from that year, Yediyurappa said, “Nobody should speak a word against Muslims. This is a warning. If anyone blames the entire Muslim community for some isolated incident, I’ll take action against them also without a second thought. Will not allow that to happen.” This had won him praise from even the Opposition parties. However, many in the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers did not take too well to the then CM’s ‘pro minority’ stance, which it was seen as. Bommai seems to be taking no such chances, lest he too meet the same fate as Yediyurappa and be ‘sidelined’.
As expected, there are MLAs of the BJP such as Arvind Bellad, who are toeing the right-wing agenda. According to new report Bellad, MLA representing Hubli-Dharwad West, in response to the attack on Muslim vendors in Dharwad district said the victim should not have dressed up as one. According to a report in NDTV, Bellad said, “It’s a Hindu Temple…even if he is a Muslim Vendor how he needs to dress up… wearing a skull cap with a beard, shaved his moustaches and wearing a pajama…How will Hindu devotees feel.” Four accused have so far been arrested in the Saturday attack on Muslim vendors.
According to CM Bommai, his government has sent “a clear message” that it will not tolerate if people take law into their hands and resort to violence. He told the media, “actions are speaking, our (govt’s) actions are speaking. We should not speak, our work should speak. In what situation, what decision has to be taken, what action is required, we are taking it, we need not learn from them,” reported NDTV.
Related:
Suspend authorities who failed to prevent and control Karauli violence: PUCL
Sheath the swords, while there is still time!
Activists claim Karnataka police under tremendous political pressure
Ajmer Collector bans crowds, religious flags and loudspeakers after Karauli violence
Rajasthan: All you need to know about the Karauli violence
Karnataka police allegedly delays FIR against claim of “spitting jihad”
Gujarat: Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad is stage for anti-Muslim abuse, trident distribution
Karnataka: Muslim man beaten up for travelling with Hindu woman