BJP, Sangh Parivar implementing Godse's agenda: AICC general secretary

Says Sangh Parivar and their fringe elements have raised their dangerous head, which is not good for the country

AICC general secretary B K Hariprasad today alleged that the BJP and Sangh Parivar along with its fringe elements were trying to implement the agenda of Nathuram Godse, who had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.

He was reacting to the lynching of a man over beef-eating rumours and the murder of Kannada writer M M Kalburgi.

"Nobody should say what needs to be eaten and what needs not to be eaten. After BJP came to power, the Sangh Parivar and their fringe elements have raised their dangerous head, which is not good for the country.

"We have been seeing even in Kalburgi killing - it is nothing new. They are trying to implement the agenda of Nathuram Godse," he told reporters here.

On being asked why Congress was attacking Narendra Modi government when in the 1970s majority of the then Congress-ruled states had banned cow slaughter, he alleged that BJP aims to polarise the society with communal colour.

"Yes, Congress-ruled states had banned cow slaughter then, but the scenario has changed after the arrival of the BJP in the political scene.

"We are making an issue of it because it has been the aim of the BJP to polarise society in the name of cow, religion and god. This the handiwork of the BJP," he said.

On moral policing happening in Dakshin Karnataka, Hariprasad said the government should take stern action against this menace.

"The government should take stern action against moral policing happening in Dakshin Karnataka. Never have the people of Karnataka been known for being communal, and they are known for their secular credentials. However, some fringe elements wanting to play their political game are trying to polarise the society, and I think we should oppose it."

Asked about delay in AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi's visit to Karnataka where the farmers have been committing suicide, Hariprasad said he could not turn up because of various elections in Karnataka.

"Rahul Gandhi has been visiting all states. Last month, he visited Odisha where serious issues are dogging the people there. His visit to Karnataka was delayed because of various elections in the state," he said.

Nevertheless, Gandhi's visit to Mandya and Haveri in the state has touched people, especially farmers, he claimed.

"He has touched the emotional chord of the people of Mandya and Haveri, which was very much needed. He was able to give solace to them because he met people and had attended one of the funerals," he said.