BJP protests in various parts of Karnataka against Satish Jarkiholi's 'anti-Hindu' remarks
Bengaluru (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday held protests in different parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, condemning state Congress Working President Satish Jarkiholi for his controversial statement that the word 'Hindu' is Persian and it has a "dirty" meaning.
The saffron party is also targeting the Congress on the issue, calling it "anti-Hindu", and has also demanded for his sacking by the opposition party.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai questioned Congress leader Siddaramaiah for being silent on the issue and demanded his comments on the row. Former CM B S Yediyurappa said Jarkiholi must issue an apology and if not, "people will teach a lesson".
At Mysuru Bank circle in Bengaluru, BJP workers staged a demonstration waving saffron flags and shouting slogans "Navella Hindu, Navella Ondu '' (We are all Hindus and are united). They burnt an effigy of Jarkiholi.
Similar protests by burning the Congress leader's effigy was held in Jarkiholi's home district of Belagavi.
There are reports of protests from various parts of the state including Chamarajanagar, Tumakuru, Karwar, Yadgir, Raichur, Shivamogga, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Kolar, Bagalkote among other places.
Jarkiholi, while speaking at Nippani in Belagavi district during an event organised by "Manav Bandhutva Vedike' on Sunday, had claimed that the word 'Hindu' is Persian and has a very dirty meaning.
He had also said that a word and a religion from elsewhere are being forcefully imposed on people here, and demanded that there should be a proper debate in this regard.
Unfazed over the widespread criticism, including from his own party, for his remarks, Jarkiholi on Tuesday said he was only referring to what has been written and published.
Defending himself and ruling out any apology, the former minister has said he wants a debate on the issue and if proved wrong, would resign as a legislator.
Speaking to reporters in Davangere today, Chief Minister Bommai said, "He (Jarkiholi) is saying that his claims were after referring to some books and Wikipedia, whose trustworthiness is questionable. There are several cases. Believing them, if he is making such statements, what to say?"
Hitting out at Congress for taking shelter by stating that the remarks were not made at a party meeting or forum, he said, "The content is important. In an open public meeting, he has clearly said what he had to. Congress has to come out clear, Siddaramaiah (Congress Legislature Party leader) comments on every other thing, why is he silent on this? He has to say what his opinion is."
BJP Parliamentary Board Member and former chief minister Yediyurappa said Jarkiholi's statement "humiliating Hindus is unpardonable".
He urged the Congress leader to apologise stating that he won't repeat it. "If not, people will teach a lesson."
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra too hit out at Jarkiholi and Congress. He said, "Congress itself is dirty...by humiliating Hindus and appeasing minorities, they were in power so far. People have now understood that they are dirty and they are removing them from everywhere. Congress is paying price for disrespecting Hindus and will continue to pay for it."
Challenging state Congress President D K Shivakumar, the minister further said, "If he has guts, let him remove Jarkiholi. Both -- supporting such acts and condemning the same -- cannot go hand in hand. Let Congress act similarly as BJP did against Nupur Sharma (for her controversial remarks about Prophet Mohammed)."
Congress on his part has rejected Jarkiholi's statement and has condemned it.
Speaking to reporters here, Karnataka PCC chief Shivakumar today said, "Our party condemns Jarkiholi's statement, BJP may use the issue for politics, we are not bothered. As the President I'm saying -- what he has said is wrong, I will contact him."
Noting that Jarkiholi has tried to defend himself by stating that he was referring to a book, he said, "I don't know which book. Our party's stand on our religion and culture has been made clear by AICC General Secretary (Randeep) Surjewala, Siddaramaiah and me. There is no change in it."
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'Adani scam cannot be covered up': Congress after SECI CMD sacked
New Delhi (PTI): With the government sacking R.P. Gupta as the Chairman and Managing Director of Solar Energy Corporation of India, the Congress on Monday sought to link it to charges against billionaire Gautam Adani and his associates by US authorities and said the Adani "scam" cannot be covered up.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the public sector Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) was indicted on November 20, 2024, by US authorities in the chargesheet against Gautam Adani and his close associates.
"It was based on SECI’s recommendation that different states entered into purchase agreements with Adani. Bribes worth Rs 2,029 crores were then reportedly offered and promised to Indian government officials in exchange for these agreements, which were then finalised," Ramesh said.
In an implicit admission of corruption, in December 2024, SECI changed the way it issues power tenders, he said.
"Now the CMD of SECI, occupied by a post-retirement bureaucrat appointed by the Modi government, has been sacked just a month before his tenure ends," the Congress leader said.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is yet to respond to repeated requests by the US Securities and Exchange Commission to serve summons to Adani and the other accused.
"Despite the attempts at the highest levels, the Modani MegaScam cannot be covered up," he said.
In November last year, US authorities charged Adani, his nephew and executive director Sagar Adani and managing director Vneet S Jaain with being involved in an alleged scheme to pay bribes to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts, and concealed the plan as they sought to raise money from US investors.
Adani Green Energy has said an independent review of its regulatory compliances related to an alleged breach that led to the indictment of founder chairman Gautam Adani and two company executives in a US court, did not find irregularities or non-compliances on the issue.
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