Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP initiated a statewide protest on Wednesday condemning the purported incident of chanting pro-Pakistan slogans in the Assembly premises during the celebration of a Congress candidate’s victory in the Rajya Sabha election. Meanwhile, the state’s home minister stated that the allegation was under investigation.
Led by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, a protest march was organized from the State Legislators’ House to the Vidhana Soudha, where the BJP criticized the Congress government for not addressing the issue seriously. Ashoka announced plans for a BJP delegation to meet the Governor and submit a memorandum urging the immediate dismissal of the Congress government.
Expressing outrage, Ashoka emphasized the gravity of allowing ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans within the state legislature premises, denouncing it as a disservice to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers. He also criticized the withdrawal of over 2,000 cases against Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) workers accused in criminal cases, alleging a rise in anti-India sentiments.
V. Sunil Kumar, BJP General Secretary and MLA, criticized the government for its purported leniency and failure to ensure arrests in the case, attributing it to a policy of appeasement that emboldens anti-national forces.
The BJP alleges that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised during the celebration of Congress candidate Syed Naseer Hussain’s victory in the Rajya Sabha election at the Vidhana Soudha premises on Tuesday night.
In response, Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that the Congress party had not committed any wrongdoing in connection with the incident. He assured that the incident, involving an individual allegedly chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad,’ was being investigated, with media clippings being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination.
Parameshwara clarified that various media outlets reported the incident differently, with some claiming it was ‘Naseer Hussain Zindabad’ and others alleging ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’ He emphasized that if it is proven that an anti-national slogan was raised, appropriate action would be taken.
