Curbs on minorities: BJP leaders frown

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

A section of senior BJP leaders have reportedly told Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to rein in a few Hindu right-wing organisations which have been demanding several restrictions on the Muslim community post the hijab-saffron shawl controversy.

One of the leaders told News Trail that ‘enough is enough’ and it is high time the state government asks leaders of these fringe elements not to poke their nose in policy matters. Initially, the BJP maintained a studious silence as these organisations were doing the job of the saffron party (of taking on the minorities who had called for a Karnataka bandh over the hijab issue) with the government’s hands tied on the issue.

But with each passing day, the fringe elements started spreading their wings and even tried to dictate terms to the government. They demanded that nonHindus should not be allowed to do business near temples, called for a boycott of Muslim traders, sought a ban on the use of loudspeakers in mosques during Azan and directed people not to buy fruits from Muslims.

In their latest demand, these activists said the idols of gods carved by Muslim artisans should not be consecrated. By imposing such restrictions, these fringe organisations are doing more damage to the BJP government than helping them by polarising voters. Slowly, right wing organisations are losing sympathy and have become a big headache for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai who cannot initiate stern action against them fearing the wrath of the Hindu vote bank.

Instead of taking a strong stance, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra is playing to the tunes of the Hindu organisations and has become an easy bait for the opposition Congress Party which is trying to consolidate its traditional Muslim vote bank the leader said.

The ‘extreme attitude’ of the Hindu organisations has irked many senior BJP leaders who feel it will boomerang on them and want the CM to act.