Ram temple opening: Why is BJP demanding arrest of Congress leader BK Hariprasad?

The BJP has demanded the arrest of Congress leader BK Hariprasad. Hariprasad, just weeks ahead of the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, made some extremely inflammatory remarks. The development came amid the BJP holding protests in Karnataka on Wednesday over the arrest of a Hindu activist in connection with a 31-year-old case related to Ram temple agitation. Meanwhile, the Congress government justified its action calling him a criminal suspect with multiple charges. But what did Hariprasad say exactly? And why is the BJP calling for his arrest? Let’s take a closer look: What did he say? Hariprasad claimed that there is a possibility of ‘Godhra-like incident’ in Karnataka in the run-up to the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on 22 January. The Godhra train burning occurred on the morning of 27 February, 2002 when 59 Hindu pilgrims and kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya were killed in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat.

Around 2,000 persons were killed in the incidents of rioting following the Godhra incident.

“The Karnataka government should be alert because in Gujarat during the same occasion, the Kar Sevaks were set on fire at Godhra,” the MLC told reporters in Bengaluru. “A similar (Godhra-like) situation can be created here also. So, no room should be given for any untoward incident to happen in Karnataka. All the arrangements should be made for those willing to go to Ayodhya so that we should not see another Godhra happening in Karnataka.” “There is absolute possibility (for such incident). I can even give information. I can tell you that the head of some organisations went to some states and have instigated some BJP leaders. I cannot say that openly. They are doing it. They are instigating such act”, Hariprasad alleged. “If you look at the history of the BJP you will find that the party is a habitual offender. They can do anything. I just demanded that these people should take precautionary measures for all the people who are visiting Ayodhya. Life of people is more important than their political function,” he was quoted as saying by The Times of India. On the invitation to Congress leaders for the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Hariprasad said this event should be seen politically and not religiously. “If a Hindu Dharma Guru inaugurates the Rama temple then you and me would have gone there (to Ayodhya) without any invitation", he said. “My knowledge tells me that the four Shankaracharyas are the head of the Hindu religion. If the four Shankaracharyas or any religious head had inaugurated the event then I would have attended the event. (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and (Home Minister) Amit Shah are not ‘Dharma Guru’ but political leaders. We have to take this into consideration,” he said. “In Ayodhya, it is not a religious program but a political program…CMs of MP, Rajasthan are ‘kar sewaks’…This is my personal statement not the party’s,” he added as per The Times of India. What have BJP leaders said? BJP leaders have demanded his immediate arrest and an apology. Former CM and ex-Union minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who is taking part in the protest condemning the arrest of Kar Sevaks in Bengaluru, said that a complaint should be registered against Hariprasad and he should be arrested “I will urge the Police Commissioner to initiate action,” he added. BJP MLA TS Srivatsa amid the protest in Mysuru said, “Let anybody touch us now. Then it was the Congress government at the Centre. The present central government removed Article 370 and not a single stone was thrown in Kashmir. Hariprasad is making a statement eying the ministerial berth."

“He should be arrested immediately. Hariprasad has Ram in his name. Hari is Ram. Let him talk sense,” he said.

He added, “He doesn’t have the capacity to question his government for announcing Rs 10,000 crore for Muslims.” Former Minister KS Eshwarappa said the devotees of Ram would be protected by Lord Ram Himself. “We will spare anyone if they obstruct us from worshipping our god. Ram bhakts will not sit quiet. If they come on to the field, the Congress won’t be in a position to face. Hariprasad would be directly responsible if any untoward incident takes place on 22 January.” Eshwarappa was quoted as saying by The Times of India, “It is surprising to see leaders like BK Hariprasad speaking this kind of language. Former PM Rajiv Gandhi had also supported Ram Mandir.” “What does he hinting towards? Is this a threat or does he know something beyond that? A serious investigation is required!” Eshwarappa said as per News18. News18 quoted BJP leader Naqvi Mukhtar as saying, “Congress is becoming a worm of communal conspiracy. These are the people who created obstacles in the way of Ram temple.” This isn’t the first time the Congress MLC has caused controversy. Hariprasad in December called the BJP and RSS ‘bootlickers of the British’ during the freedom struggle. “Close to seven lakh people sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. Ask them (the BJP) to name one person from the Hindutva party who sacrificed for the country. They were all bootlickers of the British. Let them not teach us that we should follow Tipu Sultan or someone else,” the Congress MLC was quoted as saying by India Today. “The Congress stands with those who fought against the British during the freedom struggle. We oppose those who supported the British. Anyone labelling our Congress party as Tipu Sultan party is a British bootlicker, and we have no interest in learning from such individuals,” he asserted. With inputs from agencies