Kannada protagonist and Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj on Sunday claimed that the row over Hijab and ban on Muslim traders from temple festivals in Karnataka was part of the “BJP’s strategy” to face the next Assembly polls in the State without the blessings of former Chief Minister B..S. Yediyurappa.
Mr. Nagaraj, who held a demonstration in Mysuru on Sunday demanding a Government policy on employment for Kannadigas and curbs on screening of non-Kannada movies in the theatres, said the ruling BJP in Karnataka was in no position to return to power without Mr. Yediyurappa at the helm. Hence, the Hijab controversy and ban on Muslim traders from jathres have been raked up for electoral dividends, he alleged.
Criticising the denial of employment to Muslim traders as “anti-constitutional”, Mr. Nagaraj appealed to the organisations demanding the eviction of Muslim traders from jathres to give up their campaign.
