AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel's remark on 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan.
"I am taking Tipu Sultan's name, let me see what you will do. Does the prime minister agree with what the Karnataka BJP president has said? This is an open call for violence, murder and genocide. Will BJP government in Karnataka not take action against this? This is hatred," Owaisi said.
Those who love Tipu Sultan should not stay in this land: Kateel
Earlier, Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel stoked a controversy by saying the people of Yelburga in Koppal district who sing devotional songs on Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman should stay here, and not those who love 18th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan.
Kateel was speaking at a public meeting on Tuesday in the run-up to the Karnataka assembly election, which is less than three months away.
"We are the devotees of Rama and Anjaneya (Hanuman). We do the work of Anjaneya. We are not the children of Tipu Sultan. We are the ones who will drive home Tipu's children," Kateel said.
He then asked the cheering crowd, "I want to ask the people of Yalaburga – whether you worship Anjaneya or sing praises of Tipu Sultan. Won't you drive away those singing praises of Tipu to the forest?"
The BJP leader invoked the name of Anjaneya in Koppal district, which is believed to be 'Kishkindha Kshetra', the monkey kingdom as mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana. The place is also believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman at Anjanadri – the hill of Hanuman's mother Anjana.
"Take oath whether you want Tipu's children or the devotees of Lord Rama and Anjaneya in this state.
I am asking you this question in the holy town of Anjaneya that those who love Tipu should not stay in this land. Only those who sing Rama Bhajan (devotional songs) should remain here," the BJP leader said.
Those believe in Tipu Sultan can't do good for Karnataka: Shah
On February 11, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also cried down Tipu Sultan by saying the Congress and the JD(S) believed in 18th century Mysuru ruler and that the two parties cannot do any good for Karnataka.
Shah also alleged that the Congress was corrupt and the opposition party had used Karnataka as an "Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for the Gandhi family".
"When I have come here, let me ask you (people). Should people vote for the JD(S) and Congress who believe in Tipu or the BJP which has faith in Rani Abbakka?" Shah asked people.
The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation was in Puttur to celebrate the golden jubilee celebration of the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO) at Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district.
(With PTI input)
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