In the wake of widespread protests across the coastal belt of Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday appealed to the people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony.
With emotions running high, several taluks including Sirsi, Honnavar and Karwar have witnessed massive protests, after the death of 18-year-old Paresh Mesta.
Angry protestors had hurled stones at policemen and some miscreants had even set fire to the Inspector General’s car.
“Karnataka has a long and rich legacy of fostering equality, diversity and social harmony. This is the land that has nurtured heterogeneous cultures, castes, creeds, religions and languages. This is the land that has birthed great thinkers and social reformers like Basavanna. Social harmony is writ large in the hearts of our people, and in the grain of our land,” the Chief Minister’s statement reads.
Stating that “Kannadigas bear the huge responsibility of protecting the progressive ethos” of the state, the Chief Minister warned the people of “communal elements” misusing their emotions.
“It is a matter of great concern that communal elements are attempting to disturb the social harmony intrinsic to our land. Backed by larger organisations, these elements are trying to divide people. The innocence and vulnerabilities of our people are being misused by communal elements for narrow political gain,” Siddaramaiah added.
The CM requested the people of the state to “not tolerate any attempt to tamper” with the “secular and inclusive heritage” of Karnataka. He also reiterated that secularism “is deeply ingrained in the soil of Karnataka” and asked for the “strength and support” of the people “to build a society grounded in universal human values”.
“I am confident that the conscious citizenry of Karnataka will not succubus to malicious and communal politics,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah also warned against provocative words used to “divide, spew hatred and stir violence among people”. The Chief Minister said that the state government is monitoring individuals and organisations who “go against the Constitutional aspirations and try to divide society on the lines of caste and religion”.
“Those individuals and organisations will be dealt with sternly by the government,” he added.
Meanshile, top BJP leaders of the state including Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karnadlaje, Uttara Kannada MP Ananth Kumar Hegde and BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had no concern for Hindus.
Joining the BJP’s bandwagon, pro-Hindu groups from Dakshina Kannada district including the Bajrang Dal have also latched onto Paresh Mesta’s death.
Bajrang Dal leader, Sharan Pumpwell, known for making provocative speeches went on to say, “If Muslims do jihad we will go to war to protect the culture and dharma of the nation.”