Are Incidents of Violence in Karnataka Recurring Due to Congress Encouraging Fanatic Elements?

New Delhi/Bengaluru, Sep 8 (NationPress) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has stated that the incident of stone-pelting from the rooftop of a mosque during the Ganesh procession in Maddur town, located in Karnataka's Mandya district, is an unforgivable crime. Joshi highlighted that the previous occurrences of communal violence were fostered by the Congress-led government, which has encouraged fanatic elements, leading to the recurrence of such acts.

While addressing the media in Delhi, Joshi, who serves as the Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, remarked, "The state Congress government lacks the capability to avert such violence." He elaborated, stating, "During the Ganesh Visarjan procession in Maddur, the state government failed to implement any precautionary measures, resulting in the stone-pelting incident. Additionally, on Monday morning, police engaged in a lathi-charge against innocent individuals participating in the Ganesh Visarjan procession, which clearly indicates the anti-Hindu mentality of the government," he condemned.

Joshi expressed his outrage over this incapable government, which not only fails to take action against anti-Hindu elements but also resorts to cane-charging innocent devotees and individuals. He pointed out that in previous instances, the Congress government had withdrawn cases involving the burning of police stations and attempts on police personnel's lives, as well as numerous cases associated with the PFI during communal riots. Consequently, this has provided encouragement to fanatic criminals.

Joshi charged that the Congress government, in favor of a specific community, is systematically allowing such incidents to occur repeatedly. He cited an example from Narendra village in Dharwad, where even a peaceful Ganesh Visarjan procession was met with a cane-charge from a police inspector, who justified it by citing the presence of "two Ganesh processions." Joshi questioned, "What kind of policy is this? Should two processions not be permitted?"

He strongly condemned the government's failure to take decisive action against the fanatics, the withdrawal of cases, and the encouragement of such behavior. Joshi criticized the government for causing unnecessary trouble to Hindus, innocents, and the general public. He also condemned the state for inviting Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dussehra festival, despite prevailing anti-Hindu sentiment, and for the mishandling of the Dharmasthala case. He alleged that these actions further encourage fanatic criminals.

The minister denounced the complete breakdown of law and order under Congress rule and warned that if police continue to harass Ganesh devotees in Maddur, a significant protest would be organized in response. He remarked, "The Congress government demonstrates arrogance toward farmers, Hindu activists, and innocent officials. Yet, why does it not exhibit similar arrogance toward a particular community that disrupts festivals?"

Joshi emphasized that this government shows arrogance when farmers seek compensation for crop damage or fair support but displays leniency toward fanatic miscreants who engage in stone-pelting during communal riots. "Farmers do not seek publicity; they merely request justice and fair compensation for their hard-earned crops. However, the state government continuously humiliates them and refuses to respond, acting with pride at every turn," Joshi concluded.