"Religious Politics": BJP Leader Slams Own Government In Karnataka
NDTV
H Vishwanath said the government is watching the clash between the two communities unfold in the state as a mute spectator
A senior BJP leader in Karnataka has slammed right-wing organisations' call to ban Muslim traders from temple premises as a retaliatory gesture to the hijab row. H Vishwanath, a member of Karnataka's legislative council, has also accused the government of "indulging in religious politics".
"We have Muslims living in other countries too. These Muslims sell food and flowers. How does it matter?" he said. "They're petty business-people, what will they eat? Hindu, Muslim doesn't matter. It is a question of empty stomachs," he added.
Mr Vishwanath said the government is watching the clash between the two communities unfold in the state as a mute spectator. The government, he said, "must take a stand" and added that he has already "raised objections" with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
"This is BJP's government, not Bajrang Dal, RSS (BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) or some factions," he asserted.
