K’taka BJP MLA stirs row over Muslims’ opposition to ‘Vande Mataram’, slams Sonia and Rahul Gandhi

Bengaluru, Aug 18 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA S.N. Channabasappa on Tuesday sparked a controversy by calling on Muslims who oppose “Vande Mataram” to leave India and said that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should also leave the country for allegedly supporting those who do not respect its laws.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP office in Vidhana Soudha, Channabasappa added that those who do not accept or respect the country’s laws have no right to remain in India.

“Immediately after Independence, the country was divided and a separate country was given to you. Why do you need India if you do not accept or respect the laws of this country? You cannot remain in this country,” he said.

“There are laws concerning Vande Mataram, yet you are opposing it. Therefore, along with Muslims, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi should leave the country,” he added.

Channabasappa accused the Congress of showing the “highest level of disgrace” by allegedly disrespecting Vande Mataram on the grounds that it could hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

He said that the BJP would launch a movement against what he described as the Congress’ “anti-national mindset”.

“Congress, which lives for Muslims, is not needed in this country. If you want to remain here, abide by the spirit of the Constitution; otherwise, leave,” he added.

The BJP MLA also referred to issues such as the use of loudspeakers for azaan, claiming that Hindus had tolerated such matters and alleging that the country’s youth were ready to rise against what he called the Congress’ “anti-national mindset”.

Channabasappa also defended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), describing it as a patriotic organisation and claiming that it had neither violated the law nor engaged in anti-national activities.

He criticised Minister Priyank Kharge over his remarks against the RSS and alleged that while the Congress government was bringing legislation to regulate the organisation, it had not introduced similar measures against Muslims whom he accused of violating the country’s laws.

“If you have the courage, bring a law against this as well,” he said.

He also accused Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi of encouraging those he described as anti-national and said they were not worthy of seeking forgiveness from the country.

Channabasappa alleged that the Congress had disrespected “Vande Mataram” on earlier occasions and claimed that Rahul Gandhi had refused to sing the national song at a Congress event.

He also made a controversial remark against Congress MP Imran Masood, saying that “the only thing left is to shoot and kill” people like him who, according to Channabasappa, had shown disrespect for Vande Mataram.

He accused the Congress of attempting to destroy the country’s culture and said the BJP and Hindu society had taken the alleged disrespect towards Vande Mataram seriously.

MLCs D.S. Arun and Dr. Dhananjaya Sarji were also present.

–IANS

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