‘Anti-national DNA…’ : BJP slams Cong over ‘pro-Pak’ slogans in K’taka assembly
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Wednesday criticized the Congress party for purportedly chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad‘ slogans outside the Karnataka assembly. Bhatia accused the opposition party of harboring an anti-national “DNA,” labeling the incident as a derogatory act towards India’s democratic values.
While addressing a press conference Bhatia said “After the results of the Rajya Sabha elections came out, Congress workers outside the Karnataka assembly raised ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans while celebrating Congress MP-elect Syed Naseer Hussain’s win. This is a very worrying incident, this is an insult to India’s democracy.”
“Today, every citizen is asking, whenever India’s democracy marks a win, why is that the Congress always remembers Pakistan? There is also nothing wrong in saying that there is Pakistan’s DNA in Congress,” the BJP leader said.
He additionally demanded an apology from Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge for the occurrence.
According to the complaint lodged by the Karnataka BJP, it was claimed that following the announcement of Hussain’s election to the Rajya Sabha by the returning officer around 7 pm on Tuesday, his supporters assembled at the Vidhana Soudha premises allegedly at Hussain’s behest. It was alleged that they suddenly erupted into loud chants of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ while cheering for Hussain.
“Congress’ DNA has become anti-national. Earlier, slogans like Bharat will break into pieces, Insha Allah, Insha Allah, were raised at a public event attended by Rahul Gandhi. Don’t you think Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge should apologise?” he said.
Initially Congress refuted these allegations, asserting that its workers were merely chanting slogans in support of Hussain, not as claimed by the BJP. In contrast, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that voice samples had been dispatched to the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory), emphasizing that those responsible would face consequences.
“We have sent the voice report to the FSL, if it is true that somebody has raised the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’, that person will be punished seriously,” Siddaramaiah said.
Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said, “We are very serious about it. If it is an anti-national slogan, we will not tolerate it. We will take strict actions, once it is confirmed by the FSL team. FIR has already registered yesterday. We have to identify the person from the FSL report and if it is true, we will take action against him.”
As per the complaint filed by the Karnataka BJP, it was alleged that after the returning officer declared that Hussain was elected to the Rajya Sabha, at around 7 pm on Tuesday, his supporters, who had gathered at the premises of the Vidhana Soudha “at the instance of Hussain, suddenly shouted ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in a loud manner while cheering for Hussain.”
(With inputs from agencies)
