"For Us, Pakistan Is Not An Enemy Country": Karnataka Congress Councillor Defends Alleged Pro-Pakistan Slogans Raised After RS Victory

Amidst the aftermath of Congress' recent Rajya Sabha victory in Karnataka, Congress councillor B K Hariprasad's comment on Pakistan stirred a heated debate on Wednesday (28 February).

Hariprasad's statement, describing Pakistan as a neighbouring country rather than an enemy nation, drew sharp criticism from the BJP, accusing the Congress of harbouring "anti-national sentiments."

Hariprasad's remarks came in response to BJP's allegations of pro-Pakistan slogans being raised after Congress's Rajya Sabha triumph.

Addressing the Legislative Council, Hariprasad stated, "They speak about our relationship with an enemy country. According to them, Pakistan is an enemy country. For us, Pakistan is not an enemy country; it's our neighbouring country."

"They say Pakistan is our enemy country. Recently, they awarded the Bharat Ratna to LK Advani, who visited Jinnah's mausoleum in Lahore and said there was no other secular leader like him. Was Pakistan not an enemy country then?," he added.

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This triggered a strong reaction from the Karnataka BJP, questioning the Congress' stance on Pakistan despite its history of hostilities towards India.

"What is the attitude and position of Congress towards Pakistan B K Hariprasad made it clear in the House. Jawaharlal Nehru-Mohammed Ali Jinnah has made it clear that the close relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah has continued even to the present generation by calling Pakistan an enemy for the BJP and Pakistan a neighbour for @INCKarnataka," a post by Karnataka BJP's X handle read.

Further intensifying the situation, the BJP staged a protest in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, alleging pro-Pakistan slogans were chanted by supporters of Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain following his Rajya Sabha victory.

However, the Congress refuted these claims, asserting that the chants were in celebration of Hussain's win and not in support of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has penned a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the incident.

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