Koppala: Reacting to the arrest of Kar Sevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement in 1992, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Congress party does not do politics of hatred.
He clarified that the police have been instructed to dispose of long-pending cases, and the ruling party never punishes innocents.
“Old cases should be disposed of. That is what has been instructed (to the police). Therefore, the police have taken action. That’s all. We do not play hate politics, and never punish innocents. Tell me, what should be done against wrongdoers? Should they be spared just because there has been a delay in taking action?” the CM asked.
Taking on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Siddaramaiah said the BJP leader is making political comments and questioned his legal understanding of the issue.
“Do Pralhad Joshi knows law? Is he a legal luminary? He is giving political statements. He is not addressing the issue as per law. The crime does not wash away. It remains even after the lapse of time.
The Home Minister (Dr G Parameshwara) has told (the police) to crack the long-pending cases. Therefore, they have taken action,” he said.
It is BJP’s wickedness as they are lending support to the criminals, Siddaramaiah alleged.
Hubballi police yesterday arrested Srikanth Poojari in connection with an alleged case of torching a shop owned by a minority on December 5, 1992, in Hubballi.
Poojari is the third accused in the case and the police are looking out for the other eight accused in connection with the case.
Srikanth had been sent to judicial custody. Yet another Kar Sevak, named Kulkarni, has been arrested, as per BJP leader Pralhad Joshi.
Asked about the BJP’s demand to announce a public holiday on January 22, Siddaramaiah said it is the central government’s event, and hence it should make an announcement.
“Let the central government make the announcement. It is the central government which is organising the event of inauguration of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, let them do it,” he said.
