India new citizenship law: Karnataka BJP MLA issues warning to minorities, protesters

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: Karnataka BJP MLA Somashekar Reddy has courted controversy with his inciting remarks against minorities during a speech in Bellary. Addressing a gathering, Reddy said Hindus are 80 per cent of the population while minorities are 17 per cent, so they should be very careful of their steps in this country.

In a video that is doing the rounds on social media, Somashekar Reddy can be heard issuing a warning to the minorities and protesters objecting to the Citizenship Act (CAA). "I want to warn people who are protesting. It has only been five months that we are in power and if you do too much nakhra (drama), imagine what will happen to you when we come for you," Reddy said, reported foreign media.

The BJP MLA also targeted the Congress and said the party is full of idiots and people must not believe them and come out on the streets. "Congress people are idiots. You believe them and then come out on streets? We are 80 percent and you are 18 per cent. If we hit back what will happen to you? Be careful when you are in this country," Reddy said.

The BJP MLA went on to say, "This is our country. That country's (Pakistan) prime minister once said if you have to live here, you will have to live according to our rules or we will send you back. Don't bring the same situation upon yourselves in India."

This comes even as protests against the Citizenship Act continue unabated across several parts of the country.

Karnataka has seen several protests and rallies against the contentious Citizenship Act that seeks to give citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from 3 nations, except for Muslims.

Anti-CAA protests have refused to die down in Karnataka. Hundreds of Muslim women were seen taking the centre-stage at Shivamogaa and Kalaburagi protest rallies last week.

Meanwhile, thousands of people turned up at Mominpur Eidgah Ground on Mysuru Road to say an emphatic no to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Besides Muslim religious scholars and community leaders freedom fighter HS Doreswamy addressed the post-prayer gathering on Friday.

Hazrat Maulana Mohammed PM Muzzammil Saheb, a cleric from Shivajinagar said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims to be a chowkidar.” “We the citizens of India are the owners. The chowkidar should be in his limits and can’t ask for proof from the house owner,” he said. “We have given our blood and sweat to this country no one can dare take our country away from us. It was, is and will be our country. CAA and NRC are nothing. There is no need to fear. We welcome anyone and share everything including our food but not the country,” he said.

As the gathering frequently echoed with cries of Tiger, Tiger an allusion to Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan the Maulvi said, “This is the city of Tipu Sultan who would say its better to live a day like a tiger than 100 years as a jackal. Living one day in India is better than living for 100 years in Pakistan.”

Congress MLA BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan said there was no need for Indian Muslims to prove they are Indians by submitting documents. We have proved to be Indians in 1947 itself. Will Modi and Amit Shah be able to provide documents about their father and grandfather, he asked.

Asking the PM not to worry about minority communities in Pakistan, Zameer said police killed several people for protesting against CAA and Modi must look at minorities within India. Doreswamy said freedom fighters did not look at anyone’s caste or religion while fighting for freedom.