Basavaraj Bommai: Outbreak of Shivpremi hits Karnataka CM; Said, ‘The protection of Kannada is …’

Bangalore: The desecration of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Sadashivnagar in Bengaluru has had repercussions on the border and Maharashtra. Violence erupted in Belgaum, while vehicles from Karnataka were targeted at Kolhapur, Sangli and Pune in Maharashtra. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that it is our responsibility to protect the Kannada people and we will take necessary steps for this. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should pay attention to the incident in Bangalore and order stern action. (CM Bommai On Maharashtra Violence)

Read:Big statement of Karnataka Chief Minister; ‘Shivaji Maharaj, Sangoli Rayanna is …’

After the desecration of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Bengaluru, its severe repercussions first came to Belgaum. There, a statue of revolutionary Sangoli Rayanna was targeted. Violent mobs vandalized police vehicles and other government vehicles in the city. After that, on Saturday, in many parts of Maharashtra, the anger of Shiva-lovers against the anti-Shivara Kannadi social troubles erupted. Karnataka State Transport Service buses as well as private vehicles from Karnataka were targeted at Sangli city, Miraj, Jat, Islampur, Vita and Pune city in Sangli district including Kolhapur. In some places in Kolhapur, Kannada shops were stoned and Kannada signs were removed from the shops. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has expressed displeasure over this and now there are signs that the whole controversy is taking a different turn.

Read:Outbreak of Shiva lovers in Belgaum; The answer is yes !, curfew imposed

Defacement of statues of great men is definitely a serious matter. We will not release the culprits. The statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sangoli Rayanna were defaced. So far 30 people have been arrested in both the cases. Other accused are also being sought. At the same time, however, both sides need to show restraint. Bommai pointed the finger at Maharashtra, saying that no one should encourage violent incidents.

Read: Defamation of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Bangalore, Shiva-loving aggressors

Stones have been hurled at buses and private vehicles in Karnataka. There have been some more violent incidents against Karnataka. The Director General of Police of Karnataka will talk to the Director General of Police of Maharashtra about this. At the same time I am going to talk to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and our Home Minister is going to talk to the Home Minister of Maharashtra. “As much as we have a responsibility to maintain law and order in the state, we have a responsibility to protect Kannada citizens living in Maharashtra,” Bommai said. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, while protesting against the Bengaluru incident, has called on Marathi speakers to ‘get up Marathas’. When asked about it, he said that those in positions of responsibility should avoid provocative statements.

Prime Minister should pay attention: Chief Minister Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has strongly condemned the incident in Bangalore. ‘The desecration of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is highly reprehensible. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the deity of the whole country. His insults will not be tolerated, let alone disrespect, said Chief Minister Thackeray. The Chief Minister has also demanded that the Prime Minister should take immediate action to stop the Kannada atrocities on the Marathi people in Karnataka and take immediate action against the culprits.

Read:Shiv Sena aggressive after incident in Bengaluru; Sanjay Raut said, wake up!