Bengaluru: A day after Sandalwood-actress-turned-politician Ramya was targeted by the BJP and ABVP for her comment on Pakistan, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president, Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday charged that saffron outfits were politicising the actress’ comments and also the Amnesty row.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Rao defended Ramya and said she had neither spoken against the nation nor the Centre. “She was just making a normal comment on Pakistan and not on its policies. She spoke about people. It is unfortunate that her comment has been twisted which exposes the narrow-minded nature of their nationalist ideology,” he contended.
According to him, this problem is the outcome of the fascist like attitude the country is witnessing now. "This hyped-up nationalism is creating a suffocating atmosphere. If someone makes a remark, it is distorted and people are branded anti-nationals," Mr Rao observed.
Coming down on the protests conducted by ABVP in the Amnesty case, Mr Rao asserted that the patriotism was no one's exclusive domain and the police were well-equipped to initiate action against the NGO if seditious activity was proved.
He alleged that the ABVP was organising protests outside the ambit of law by not informing the police of their assembly and trying to create a law and order crisis. Training his guns on the BJP's ‘Tiranga Yatra’, Mr Rao questioned the party on its contribution to the freedom struggle.
“Their much acclaimed icon, V.D. Savarkar's struggle lasted only till 1925 and after that, he disappeared. Such are the freedom fighters which BJP considers their idols,” he said. “The Congress need not learn lessons from BJP on issues pertaining to freedom or nationalism.”
He wanted BJP leaders to explain why Savarkar had refused to accept the present national flag as the country's flag. "The BJP leaders must clarify why Hindu Mahasabha does not hoist the flag on August 15? People need to know, why Hindu Mahasabha has celebrations on January 30 every year instead of Independence Day? These are questions the BJP needs to answer," he said.
