Insulting Minorities is Kalladka Bhat’s Culture and not Hindu Culture – Ivan D’Souza
Mangaluru: “Recently Prabhakar Bhat had greatly insulted Christians. He had said this is not the land of Jesus Christ, it is the land of Lord Krishna which has hurt the Christian community deeply. Our God’s do not need any land because he created all of us. We have created a place for them in our heart. Prabhakar Bhat has targetted D K Shivakumar and held a politically motivated protest by insulting the minority at Kapali Betta. Insulting the minorities is not Hindu culture but the culture of Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat”, said MLC Ivan D’Souza in a press meet held at his MCC office, Lalabagh here on January 16.
Addressing the mediapersons Ivan D’Souza said, “D K Shivakumar being an MLA had proposed a 114-foot Jesus Christ statue on the Kapali Betta. Even other MLAs would have supported the construction of the statue, but Bhat has failed to understand humanity. Prabhakar Bhat held a ‘Kanakapura Chalo’ rally. During the protest rally, Bhat delivered an inciting speech which is against the Constitution. According to the constitution, everyone has the right to practice their religion. Bhat should first read and understand the constitution. Prabhakar Bhat has stooped very low with his speech by insulting the Christian community. Our community is very small but Bhat should know our contribution. The entire world is hurt by what Bhat said. If Bhat thinks that the land where the construction of the statue of Jesus is illegal he should approach the government since both the state and Central governments are of the BJP. Instead of holding Kanakapura Chalo Bhat could have done Yediyurappa Chalo and met the CM and discussed the issue”.
Ivan further said, “Bhat speaks thinking that the Christians do not have citizenship in this country, whereas the prime minister says that he will give citizenship to the people of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Whatever Prabhakar Bhat spoke in Kanakapur, he has tried to divide the people on the basis of minority and majority. I urge the government to take action against him. RSS and BJP are the two faces of the same coin. Let Bhat construct Lord Krishna’s statue, we will support him. If the statue is being constructed unconstitutionally, he has the right to question. But insulting a particular community is not the right way. Bhat thinks that Christians will not raise their voice, but I say that whatever Bhat has done is not right.”
Ivan also said, “The government has given 10 acres of land to a trust for which there are clear documents. If Prabhakar Bhat has any case, he should go to the court. Insulting a particular community is not good, this is not the culture of this country but Prabhakar Bhat’s culture”.