Ballari (Karnataka), Sep 10 (IANS) Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday criticised the Karnataka government over its decision to restrict the singing of “Vande Mataram” to two stanzas at most state government events, alleging that the move was aimed at minority appeasement and warning that the Congress would face political consequences in the 2028 Assembly elections.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 10-day “Ballari Chalo” padyatra at the Ex-Municipal School Grounds in Ballari, Union Minister Joshi said the decision to curtail the national song reflected the Congress government’s “appeasement politics”.
“Vande Mataram” had played an important role in India’s freedom struggle and should be given due respect, he added.
Joshi said he had travelled directly from Delhi to Ballari at the request of State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra to participate in the concluding programme.
Referring to the alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, the Union Minister said that Vijayendra had raised the issue through protests on the streets, while BJP Leaders of Opposition R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy had taken it up inside the State Legislature.
He alleged that funds meant for the Valmiki community had been misappropriated and claimed that the money would be recovered after the BJP returned to power in Karnataka in 2028.
“The money has reached mother, son and sister, sitting in Delhi,” he said while targeting Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
“Today, the D.K. Shivakumar government completes 100 days in office. But this money will not come back as long as Shivakumar is in power,” Union Minister Joshi said, alleging that the funds had reached several influential people.
Targeting the Congress leadership, the Union Minister alleged that those who spoke about corruption were themselves facing corruption-related cases.
“Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who are talking about corruption are out on bail.”
He also accused Congress leaders of being involved in a series of scams and corruption allegations.
He mocked the Congress over its political prospects, claiming that the party would face defeat in the upcoming elections.
Union Minister Joshi also attacked the Congress over its position on Article 370 and alleged that the party had opposed its removal.
He said the BJP-led government had abrogated Article 370 despite opposition and integrated Jammu and Kashmir more firmly with the rest of the country.
Referring to the ongoing debate over “Vande Mataram”, Union Minister Joshi said the full national song had recently been sung at a government event in Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had respected the decision.
He alleged that the Congress had opposed the singing of the full national song because of minority appeasement.
“I want to convey to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Shivakumar: your party attempted to cut the Vande Mataram song earlier and divide the nation. If you continue with this politics, the people of Karnataka will politically cut you off in 2028,” Union Minister Joshi said.
He also targeted Karnataka Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi over his reported remarks about Islam and said there was no reason for anyone to prevent him from visiting religious places of his choice.
He also cited Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s reported remarks on the Congress and Muslims, alleging that the party was pursuing appeasement politics.
State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra also attacked the Karnataka government over its decision on “Vande Mataram”.
He said the state government had decided that only two stanzas of the song, which he described as having inspired the freedom struggle, would be sung at government events.
Meanwhile, State BJP President Vijayendra in his speech contrasted the Karnataka government’s decision with the Centre’s reported move to make the national song compulsory at government events.
He alleged that the Shivakumar government had curtailed the singing of “Vande Mataram” solely to appease minorities.
“The people across the state are outraged. Congress has given the people an opportunity to send the party home in the coming Assembly elections,” Vijayendra said.
–IANS
mka/khz