Basanagounda Patil Yatnal hogs limelight for anti-Muslim remarks

Bijapur BJP MLA Basanagounda Patil Yatnal is once again in news for his remarks against Muslims.

It is said that Yatnal made certain controversial remarks against the Muslims at a private function recently.

The 30-second video showing him as making anti-Muslim remarks has gone viral triggering a war of words between his supporters and rivals on social media.

While intellectuals and Muslims condemned Yatnal's remarks, the MLA's supporters justified Yatnal's observations.

The video shows him as claiming that he had directed corporators to work for Hindus. He also claims that those wearing skull caps and hijabs (head cover for female) should not stand in front of him.

For his question on who supported him in the Assembly elections, a few people say that Hindus did.

About the controversy, the BJP vice-president and Mudhol MLA Govind Karajol said: "We will see if Yatnal delivers better administration. We will act if he fails to deliver. I don't want to comment further on the issue."

Sindagi taluk Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president Saddam K Alagur sought an unconditional apology from the MLA for hurting sentiments of the Muslims.

"He should resign from the Assembly membership and retire from politics," Alagur demanded.

However, Yatnal was on a justification mode.

"There was an injustice to us in the last five years and hence I spoke to like that," he told reporters.

"Why do you become angry if I speak for the Hindus? I spoke for one hour, but you showed only edited version. You edit the video to meet your requirement," Yatnal expressed anger.

He said: "Even now, I reiterate my statement that former President Abdul Kalam is a good man, but Asaduddin Owaisi is a loafer."

"It doesn't become controversy if those people speak, but it becomes a controversy if our people speak," he said.

"I know the importance of my position," he said.