Incident similar to Godhra train tragedy may happen with Ayodhya devotees: B K Haripasad stokes row

BENGALURU: Congress leader and MLC B K Hariprasad stoked a controversy on Wednesday when he said that an incident similar to the Godhra train disaster may happen again with those who are going to Ayodhya.

“We are getting information; I have confirmed information. These are my personal statements and have nothing to do with the party”, he claimed. He also stressed that the state government should provide protection to devotees going to Ayodhya.

“Where did the word ‘fight’ come in this issue? When we saw the argument regarding the Ram Mandir in the Supreme Court, it clearly showed that it is a politically motivated act. It cannot be called a movement. There are no examples in history of destroying a place of worship and rebuilding another temple on the same foundation”, he said.

“The inauguration of Ram Mandir is not a religious event; it is a political event. If it was a religious event, we would all have participated. There is no need to create excitement about the programme. If it was a religious event, religious leaders should have participated”, he remarked.

Hariprasad further said, “Shankaracharya was the original guru. Similarly, if dharma gurus had conducted the ceremony, it would have perhaps been a religious programme. I still do not understand what Modi’s religion is. Amit Shah does not know anything about religion”, Hariprasad remarked.

“The government should take all necessary precautions in order to protect the state because an incident similar to the Godhra tragedy, where many kar sevaks lost their lives, is likely to occur. So, the government must be careful,” Hariprasad warned.