Responding to the recent arrest of right-wing activist Srikanth Poojari by Hubballi police in connection with the communal violence after the demolition of Babri masjid, and the BJP’s protest against the arrest, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said those involved in illegal activities cannot be spared just because they wear a saffron shawl and raise Jai Sri Ram slogan.
“There are 16 criminal cases against Srikanth Poojari. The charges against him include arson, gambling and sale of illicit liquor. BJP says that the accused was acquitted in 15 cases. Isn’t he still an accused in one case? He is arrested as he has been absconding for a long time. As many as 36 accused in long-pending cases were arrested in Hubballi. Police acted upon the directions of a court, and the government had nothing to do with it. BJP leaders never respected the Constitution and the laws of the land. They are now protesting to oppose the police action, which was taken as per court direction. The BJP’s protest amounts to antagonising the people with the judiciary,” Mr. Priyank said at a media conference in Kalaburagi on January 6.
“Are persons engaged in gambling, selling illicit liquor, smuggling PDS rice meant for the poor, ganja peddling and those who roam the streets with lethal weapons threatening people are called Ram bhakts (devotees of Lord Ram)? Can they be spared just because they wear a saffron shawl and raise Jai Sri Ram slogan? This country runs on the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and not on Bhagavad Gita, Quran, Bible or any religious text. Action is taken impartially regardless of the offender’s religion. All are equal before the law,” he said.
