Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president BK Hariprasad on Wednesday said he was proud to identify himself as a Hindu, but asserted that his faith was rooted in the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Narayana Guru, Kanakadasa and Basavanna, and not in the ideology espoused by MS Golwalkar, Nathuram Godse or Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.
Speaking at a seminar held at the KPCC headquarters, Bharat Jodo Bhavan, Hariprasad launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the RSS, accusing them of attempting to divide society along caste and religious lines.
“The BJP is taking the country backwards. The more people remain uneducated, the easier it becomes to create blind followers. Efforts are being made to divide society in the name of caste and religion. Those who end up in jail during communal clashes are Dalits and Shudras, while those responsible for instigating violence remain untouched,” he alleged.
Referring to alleged temple loot, Hariprasad said those claiming to teach others about religion should first examine their own history.
Emphasising India’s pluralistic character, he said the country’s diversity was its greatest strength. “There is no other nation like India. A country with multiple religions, languages and cultures cannot function on the principles of ‘One Nation, One Religion, One Education, One Leader’,” he said.
Hariprasad also levelled allegations against RSS leader Ram Madhav, raising questions over reports of his alleged meetings with former Pakistani military officials and demanding clarification on the issue.
Referring to the debate surrounding Operation Sindoor, Hariprasad claimed there were contradictions in the Centre’s statements. He also questioned the government’s reluctance to disclose details about martyred soldiers, saying the people of the country deserved to know the truth.
Several Congress leaders, including campaign committee chairman Vinay Kumar Sorake, former minister Rani Satish, Kimmane Rathnakar, Shivanna, and former MP L Hanumanthaiah, were present at the event.
