BJP says Srikanth Poojary's arrest a witch-hunt

Congress says it is not targetting Hindu activists

BJP unit met K'taka Guv and submitted a memorandum

The arrest of activist Srikanth Poojary in Hubballi in a case related to rioting 31 years ago has split the political world in Karnataka. 

While the Congress maintains that it is following court orders in relation to long pending cases, the BJP has maintained that it is a witch-hunt against Hindu activists, with an obvious attempt to intimidate them, ahead of the historic opening of the Ayodhya Ram temple on June 22. 

The saffron party held protests across the state. In Bengaluru, its members gathered in huge numbers at Freedom Park and criticised Siddaramaiah, saying he has only hatred for Hindus. 

At Hubballi, Leader of Opposition, Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka led the protests, demanding the ouster of the inspector who arrested Poojary. 

While the principal opposition party in the state was immersed in protests, Congress MLC BK Hariprasad, dropped a bombshell saying that the government had intelligence inputs on a Godhra-like incident likely to occur. 

The Karnataka BJP met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum to him for the early release of Srikanth Poojary, apprehended for riots 31 years ago.

BY Vijayendra, BJP Karnataka head, lead the delegation. #Karnataka #AyodhyaRamMandir #RamMandir @TCGEHLOT pic.twitter.com/ecH797S9JV

— NewsFirst Prime (@NewsFirstprime) January 3, 2024

However, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not respond to it, saying he won’t respond to such rumours. State Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara also did not show keen interest in responding to it, adding Hariprasad can educate the government if he had any such info with him. 

In all, the move to reopen a three-decade old case at the threshold of Ram Mandir inauguration has created an avoidable controversy.