Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Monday held Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government accountable for an attack on a shopkeeper by some Muslim youth during Azaan.
He alleged that Siddaramaiah’s appeasement politics had encouraged barbarians to run a rampage in the state.
“I hold CM @siddaramaiah & his govt accountable for this attack on Hindus & Hindu establishments. His appeasement politics has encouraged barbarians to run rampage in the state,” the state party chief said on X.
Vijayendra also said that the appeasement policies of the Congress administration are pushing Karnataka into a radical state with an absolute breakdown of law and order.
On Sunday, the victim, who runs a small mobile shop, had played Hanuman Chalisa in his shop near Siddanna Layout, prompting questioning from some Muslim youths, leading to a heated argument and physical altercation. As a result, the shopkeeper was assaulted by the individuals involved, police said.
Vijayendra said this assault comes following instances such as chanting of “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans in Vidhan Soudha and a bomb explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe.
He strongly urged Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda to act on it and arrest the anti-social elements immediately without bowing down to the pressure of the Congress party.
Another BJP leader CT Ravi said under the Tughlaq Durbar of the Congress, it is a crime to be a Hindu listening to Hanuman Chalisa in his shop. “Brothers of DCM DK Shivakumar will attack you! How long should Hindus suffer due to the Appeasement Politics of Communal CONgress?” he said on X.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi asked whether Hanuman Chalisa has been banned in Karnataka under CM Siddaramaiah.
He added: “Under @INCKarnataka’s appeasement politics, a violent mob attacked a Hindu shopkeeper in Bengaluru for playing Hanuman Chalisa. From pro-Pakistan slogans in Vidhan Soudha to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, it highlights Congress govt’s failure to maintain law and order in Bengaluru, enabling anti-national elements,” he Xed.
An FIR has been lodged at the Halasuru Gate Police Limit, and the police are actively working to apprehend the accused individuals involved in the altercation.
A video, in this regard, also has gone viral on social media, including X and YouTube, which depicts a group of young men confronting a shopkeeper, leading to a heated argument that escalates into physical violence.
One of the young men is seen grabbing the shopkeeper’s collar in anger, prompting the shopkeeper to retaliate. Subsequently, a physical assault ensued in the street.
