Reacting to Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s remarks about the alleged growing religious divide in Karnataka, state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday appealed to all sections of the society to exercise restraint before going public on social issues. And that the matters can be resolved through discussion. ,
Stating that Karnataka is “known for peace and tranquility”, Bommai sought people’s cooperation to maintain “peace and progress” in the state. “Many issues are being debated in the state. Uniform has become mandatory, especially after the recent decision of the Karnataka High Court. With regards to other issues, I only ask those who are concerned we are living our lives based on our personal beliefs. Everyone should work towards creating a peaceful environment. Karnataka is known for peace and quiet.”
He further said, “Please maintain peace and harmony in public places and everyone should give their support for this. Karnataka is known for peace and progressivity. Everyone should ensure that peace prevails. When some social issue comes up, people should talk together, discuss and solve it.”
Majumdar-Shaw’s tweet has drawn criticism from the BJP as the party has accused him of imposing personal and “politically colored” opinions and mixing them with India’s leadership in the information technology and biotechnology sectors. BJP’s IT department in-charge Amit Malviya has posted a page on the rules framed when the Congress was in power in Karnataka, and highlighted the part that said “Lands, buildings or sites located near institutions”. No property including that shall be let on lease to non-Hindus”.
Along with the page, he tweeted, “Great to see Kiran Shaw waking up to religious divide in Karnataka. Did he speak when a militant minority demanded priority of the hijab over education or did the Congress make rules to exclude non-Hindus from Hindu institutions? He helped the Congress prepare its manifesto. telling?”
Nice to see Kiran Shaw waking up to the religious divide in Karnataka. Did he speak when a belligerent minority demanded priority of the hijab over education or did the Congress make rules to exclude non-Hindus from Hindu institutions? He helped the Congress draft its manifesto. telling? pic.twitter.com/qFcQQYXhBt
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) 31 March 2022
Majumdar-Shaw had tweeted on incidents of denial of permission to non-Hindu traders and vendors to do business around temples during annual temple fairs and religious events in parts of Karnataka. “Karnataka has always had inclusive economic growth and we should not allow this kind of communal boycott- if ITBT becomes communal it will destroy our global leadership. @BSBommai please resolve this growing religious divide,” he said. tweeted.
Karnataka has always had inclusive economic growth and we should not allow this kind of communal boycott- if ITBT becomes communal it will destroy our global leadership. @BSBommai Please resolve this growing religious divide. https://t.co/0PINcbUtwG— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) 30 March 2022
Later, Majumdar-Shaw called himself a proud Kannadiga and said that vested interests were hijacking the issue. Expressing confidence about CM Bommai resolving the issue, he tweeted, “Unfortunately, vested interests are hijacking the issue to political parties. I am sure our CM @BSBommai will settle the matter peacefully. I am a proud Kannada and do not want to see these developments detract from economic progress. All parties need to work in this direction.”
Unfortunately, vested interests are handing over the issue to political parties. I believe our CM @BSBommai Will resolve the matter peacefully. I am a proud Kannada and do not want to see these developments detract from economic progress. All parties need to work in this direction.- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) 31 March 2022
Further, asserting that the media is very irresponsible in making it a BJP issue, she said, “I have full faith that the BJP government is headed by @BSBommai? Will resolve this issue.”
The issue of denial of permission initially started when banners were put up during the annual Kaup Marigudi festival in Udupi district stating that non-Hindu vendors and traders should not be allowed entry, and the temple management Heeded the request of some Hindus. Organization. Later, similar banners were displayed at the Padubidri temple festival and also in some temples in Dakshina Kannada district.
Some Hindu activists have submitted memorandums to the authorities in different parts of the state citing the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997. Recently, when the matter came up in the assembly, the BJP government tried to distance itself from it citing a rule. In which it has been said that no property, including land, building, near the place of worship will be given on lease to non-Hindus.
Also, recently some right-wing groups have called for a boycott of halal meat before ‘Varshadodku’, a day after Ugadi, when a non-vegetarian feast is held in many communities in the state. BJP national general secretary CT Ravi on Tuesday termed eating halal as “economic jihad”.
(with inputs from PTI)
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