K’taka BJP MP draws Congress’ ire for making alleged hate speech against Muslims

Bengaluru : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ananth Kumar Hegde on Wednesday drew the ire of the Congress-led Karnataka Government in the state for his alleged hate speech critical of the Muslim community.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, while interacting with the media, said that such ‘unfortunate’ remarks by the Uttara Kannada MP were not in the interest of the society.

“It is unfortunate that Members of Parliament make such statements, which are against the fundamentals of the Constitution. He has been elected for the third time, he is well versed with the Constitution and the democratic principles,” Parameshwara told reporters here.

“It is not in the interest of the society and of the country. These are things which we must look into seriously,” he added.

When asked if the state government was mulling legal action against Hegde, he said, “At this point of time, we have not looked into those angles. If it comes under provocative speeches, then the law will have to take its own course.”

Days after Minister of State for Human Resource and Development (HRD) Ram Shankar Katheria made disparaging remarks against Muslims at a VHP event in Agra, BJP Uttara Kannada MP reportedly said that terrorism cannot be stopped as long as Islam exists in the world.

He also reportedly said that Islam must be uprooted for peace to prevail in a place like Bhatkal (Karnataka), which is considered a communally sensitive town. (ANI)