Karnataka Congress Faces Controversy As Siddaramaiah's Son Equates Hindu Rashtra With Pakistan, Afghanistan After Hariprasad's Godhra Remark

In the wake of Karnataka MLC BK Hariprasad's contentious remarks on Godhra, the Congress is embroiled in another controversy involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

The former MLA drew parallels between India becoming a "Hindu Rashtra" and countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, equating it to rule by dictatorship as reported by News18.

Yathindra stirred controversy by asserting that if India transforms into a "Hindu Rashtra," it would resemble Afghanistan and Pakistan, both facing bankruptcy due to dictatorships in the name of religion.

He stated, “Pakistan and Afghanistan have been bankrupted by the dictatorship in the name of religion…Affiliate organisations of the BJP are going to make India a Hindu country. If this is allowed then our country will also become Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Blaming the RSS and BJP for pushing the agenda of a 'Hindu Rashtra,' the Congress leader urged people to be cautious about political parties instrumentalising religion.

The Congress faced a double whammy on the same day, dealing not only with the BJP's protests against the arrest of a former karsevak-turned-autorickshaw driver linked to the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition riots but also confronting backlash over B K Hariprasad's statements.

Hariprasad had raised concerns about the possibility of a "Godhra-like incident" in Karnataka in the lead-up to the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on 22 January, urging the state government to stay vigilant.