February 29, 2024: Senior Karnataka Congress leader, B. K. Hariprasad’s recent remarks on Pakistan have sparked a heated controversy. Hariprasad, in a speech at an MLA meeting, commented on the perception of Pakistan, stating, “Pakistan can be an enemy nation for Bharatiya Janata Party. But for Congress, Pakistan is just a neighboring country.” These statements have led the Bharatiya Janata Party to accuse the Congress of fostering anti-national sentiments.
Hariprasad also drew attention to a historic visit by veteran BJP leader L. K. Advani to the grave of Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Lahore. “Recently he [Advani] was awarded the Bharat Ratna. Advani visited Jinnah’s grave in Lahore. At that time, he said there is no other country as secular as Pakistan. Wasn’t Pakistan an enemy nation then?” Hariprasad questioned, suggesting a discrepancy in BJP’s stance on Pakistan over the years.
What BJP Has Said: Reacting strongly to Hariprasad’s remarks, Karnataka BJP has targeted Congress, asserting that Pakistan is an adversary, not a mere neighbor. Reminding that Pakistan has fought India on four occasions, the BJP has accused Congress of maintaining a friendly attitude toward Pakistan at the cost of national interest.
The BJP has emphasized the ongoing historical relationship between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah, insinuating that this influence persists in the present generation of Congress leadership.
Confusion in Karnataka Assembly: The controversy deepened when supporters of Congress candidate Nasir Hussain, who won in the recent Karnataka Rajya Sabha elections, chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans, inciting protests from BJP MLAs who disrupted proceedings in the Legislative Assembly. The ensuing chaos highlighted the polarized views on Pakistan within Karnataka politics.
Hariprasad’s latest comments have reignited the debate, further polarizing opinions and provoking a fresh bout of allegations against Congress by BJP. As both parties brace for a potential escalation of the issue, the Karnataka Assembly finds itself in the midst of a highly charged and complex situation.
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