Mangaluru: Union minister Pralhad Joshi, firing a fresh salvo against chief minister Siddaramaiah, alleged that the Congress, while being an anti-Hindu political party, favours only the appeasement of minorities. Speaking at the Dharmasthala Chalo mass convention organised by the Karnataka BJP at Dharmasthala on Monday, Joshi said that the anti-Hindu policy is in the blood of Congressmen.Referring to the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 civilians were killed, the minister said that the terrorists massacred Indians on the basis of their religion. However, even after India launched Operation Sindoor, the Congress was suspicious about the govt of India, instead of Pakistan. “They wanted discussion on Operation Sindoor on the floor of Parliament. They wanted proof to show whether those who attacked Hindus are Pakistanis. They tried to safeguard Pakistan on several other occasions too. The Congress has the intention of helping Pakistan,” accused Joshi.For about 30-40 years, the Congress could not defeat the BJP, which is committed to Hindutva in Dakshina Kannada. Hence, the Congress started targeting religious shrines and leaders through conspiracies. “From the days of the Indian partition, the Congress was in favour of one section of society, which is their vote bank,” Joshi claimed.Dharmasthala is a place visited by people from various sections of society. People from all sections, including the SC and ST communities, offer prayers before Manjunatha Swamy and Annappa Swamy. A conspiracy is being hatched to break this unity in the Hindu religion, he said. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar’s claims that Mysuru Chamundi Hill does not belong to Hindus led to a suspicion that there are plans to destroy that shrine too, he said.“We are not the ones who shake hands with terrorist leaders. Yours might be an ultra-leftist govt. There is neither ‘Sidda’ nor ‘Rama’ in the name of our chief minister Siddaramaiah. Hence, I would like to convey a message to ‘Khavandaru’ (Dharmasthala temple Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade) that you have the blessings of God, support of devotees as well as the govt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Joshi asserted.
