Four nabbed in Shivamogga violence; another stabbing stokes flames of communal tension

Police denied that the stabbing in Bhadravathi town had any links with the Shivamogga violence

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, on Tuesday, advised the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah to stop making abusive remarks against freedom fighter V D Savarkar.

The provocative remarks made by a Congress worker against Savarkar were indirectly responsible for the communal tension in Shivamogga, he said.

Jnanendra told reporters that Sharief, a Congress worker and spouse of a Congress corporator, made abusive remarks against Savarkar on August 13 and the video went viral.

Also Read | Why put Savarkar's photo in Muslim area? Siddaramaiah asks BJP

Besides, he forcibly got Savarkar’s portrait removed from an exhibition of freedom fighters at a mall in the city on August 13. “The incident has deeply hurt lakhs of people in the state. Congress leaders’ remark that Savarkar licked the boots of Britishers can’t be accepted under any circumstance. Such a remark is indirectly responsible for the communal tension. They (Muslims) raise slogans in favour of Pakistan and hoist that country’s flag. How can we tolerate it?” he said.

Slamming Congress leader Siddaramaiah for his remark as to why BJP wants to put up banners with Savarkar’s photo in Muslim areas, he said, “This is India and not a foreign country. We have the right to put up banners of freedom fighters at any place of our choice. Siddaramaiah is making such remarks to gain the support of Muslims for the elections.”

Jnanendra said Savarkar was in jail for 14 years during the freedom movement.

“Siddaramaiah does not know anything about Savarkar. He loves votes, but we love Savarkar, who is our role model,” the minister said.

When questioned on slogans raised by BJP workers against him (Jnanendra) and the government, he said they must have done this out of frustration. He said the situation is under control in Shivamogga.

‘My husband is innocent’

Shabana, wife of one of the accused Mohammed Jabi (30), alleged that the police shot him in the leg by covering his eyes with cloth in the wee hours of Tuesday. She said, “My husband is innocent. He has no link with any organisation.”