BJP attacks Cong, JD(S) for 'targeting' Kichha Sudeep for supporting it
Bengaluru, apr 8: The BJP on Saturday accused the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) of targeting actor Kichha Sudeep for his support to the ruling party in poll-bound Karnataka and cited his tribal background to hit out at its rivals.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said Sudeep has earned his standing and not inherited it like Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and accused opposition parties of "hypocrisy" for speaking for freedom of expression and democratic rights on one hand and on the other, targeting the actor for exercising his right to support a party.
Speaking to reporters, Bhatia also hit back at critics for claiming that the BJP seeking support from Sudeep highlighted its weakness and dependence on outsiders as he noted that actors such as Swara Bhaskar and Riya Sen had joined Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.
Bhaskar had extended support to the people who raised slogans against the country's integrity, he alleged.
Congress leaders have claimed that Sudeep's support to the BJP was due to pressure from probe agencies while the JD(S) has also taken aims at him.
It reveals the "sick mentality" of the two parties, Bhatia said, accusing them of hurting sentiments of every Kannadiga as Sudeep is a son of the soil.
Rahul Gandhi has a right to go abroad and "defame" India by making "false statements" but the Congress will say this is his right to freedom of speech, he said.
But, according to the Congress, an Indian citizen in his home state cannot choose what his political leaning would be, the BJP leader alleged.
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DMK to challenge Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Supreme Court
Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced its decision to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha early Thursday morning with a 288-232 vote despite strong opposition from several parties.
Chief Minister M K Stalin, addressing the Tamil Nadu Assembly while wearing a black ribbon in protest, condemned the passage of the Bill, calling it an attack on the Constitution and an attempt to disturb communal harmony. He reiterated that Tamil Nadu would fight against the BJP-led Union government on the issue of Waqf properties.
“A majority of political parties opposed the Bill, yet it was pushed through with support from some alliance partners. This move is condemnable. The DMK will challenge it in the Supreme Court,” Stalin said.
On March 27, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution against the Bill. Stalin had then accused the BJP government of introducing policies aimed at excluding certain communities, citing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an example.
“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is another attempt by the Union Government to interfere in the religious administration of Muslims. It grants greater control to the government over Waqf properties, undermining their autonomy and violating fundamental rights,” he said.
Stalin further accused the BJP of pushing a divisive agenda, asserting that the Bill would create legal hurdles for Waqf institutions and strip them of their autonomy.
