I oppose BJP's Hindutva, I don't know what 'soft Hindutva' is: Siddaramaiah

"I oppose the brand of Hindutva that BJP practices. I am devoted to the ideal of secularism. But I don't know what the 'soft Hindutva' you refer to is,' replied Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.  

He was speaking to reporters who met him at Holalkere, Chitradurga district, Karnataka.  

To a question whether he was afraid of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists because he had cautioned the Congress rank and file to be vigilant  of their activities, the CM retorted: "Why should I be scared?" .  

"I asked my party workers to be careful of the RSS during election time to ensure that their activists do not cause communal flare-ups".  

To another question regarding the boycott of the meeting with SC/ST communities slated for December 31, the CM said that he had postponed the meeting to January 13, 2018.  

As for the section of ST communities protesting against the Sadashiva Commission's recommendations on reservations, on December 29, the CM said, "To protest is everybody's right".    

To the demand to increase the reservation percentages, the CM said that soon a census would be conducted and steps would be taken based on it.  

As for questions on the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute, Siddaramaiah said that he had written to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar inviting him for talks.  

"Mahadayi agitations are not against the Congress. They are against Yeddyurappa because he is lying to people," Siddaramaiah alleged.      

Siddaramaiah said that he would convene a meeting soon to plan the Vishwa Kannada Sammelana at Davangere city this year.