Hariprasad alleges BJP of using cow vigilante to start communal riots

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Congress MLC BK Hariprasad alleged that the BJP was trying to trigger communal riots in Karnataka with the help of cow vigilante and history sheeter Puneeth Kerahalli.

He posted screenshots on X allegedly containing messages by Kerehalli on the WhatsApp group called “Rashtra Raksha Pade”, which is also the name of the organisation the cow vigilante heads.

Kerehalli is an accused in the lynching of one Idrees Pasha over transportation of cows.

He was killed in the late hours of March 31 in Kanakapura taluk.

“It is being revealed that the BJP is organising its sister organisations to create communal riots in the garden of peace for all communities (Kuvempu’s vision for Karnataka) and set fire between religious groups. A fanatic named Puneeth Kerehalli, who is a rowdy sheeter, has claimed in a selfcreated WhatsApp group called ‘Rashtra Raksha Pade’ that he has received a ‘fatwa’ from the BJP to carry out communal riots. It seems that this group of terrorists will work to make 'Vishwaguru' the Prime Minister again by 2024 by carrying out communal riots,” Hariprasad posted on X.

“It is becoming clear that there is a conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts in the state. Where? When? How? It is shocking that BJP is supporting such sociopaths. The government should immediately stop such terrorist forces. I demand that those who are threatening the internal security of the state should be booked and investigated under the charge of sedition,” he added.

Poojari walks out of prison

Hindu activist Srikanth Poojari, whose arrest triggered a political controversy in Karnataka, was released from jail on Saturday after being granted bail by a court in Hubballi on Friday.

BJP had claimed that Poojari was arrested for his role in the Ram Mandir movement while Congress maintained he was accused in crimes like gambling and selling illicit liquor.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched an attack on Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and said that he had once said that there are 16 cases against Pujari which is a blatant lie.

“There was no case. He was arrested as per the anti-Hindu policies of the antiHindu Congress. CM Siddaramaiah had said that there are 16 cases against him.