BJP MLA from Hoovina Hadagali Assembly constituency reportedly made provocative statements, asserting that Muslims are mere “tenants” in India and that their rightful place is in Pakistan
Team Clarion
BENGALURU — The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has demanded the immediate arrest of BJP leader Krishna Naik over his inflammatory remarks against the Muslim community.
At a recent rally in Bhatkal, the MLA from Hoovina Hadagali Assembly constituency in Vijayanagar district, reportedly made provocative statements, asserting that Muslims are mere “tenants” in India and that their rightful place is in Pakistan. Naik also claimed that the land Muslims own in India was “given to them in 1947” and that any attempt by Muslims to claim ownership would lead to their forced departure to Pakistan, for which he said even women from the community would be enough.
Addressing the police, SDPI warned that failure to arrest Naik would result in intensified protests, potentially leading to a siege of the police station, media reports said on Thursday.
Naik’s comments were made at a BJP rally in Bhatkal to protest the Congress government’s alleged encroachment on farmers’ land under the pretext of Waqf properties. Present at the protest were other BJP leaders, including former MLA Sunil Naik.
Following the incident, videos of Krishna Naik’s speech quickly went viral on social media, causing widespread outrage and sparking tension in the local Muslim community.
Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the police’s inaction on Naik’s remarks, SDPI district president Taufeeq Beary questioned why the authorities hadn’t taken suo motu action against Naik. He also criticised local Congress leaders for their silence and challenged the police and intelligence agencies, asking why no intervention occurred during the BJP protest, where hate-filled speeches were openly delivered.
The protest took place along the National Highway near the Circuit House, with slogans raised against BJP, Sangh Parivar, and RSS. Other SDPI members, including district vice president Waseem Manigar, were present and police ensured strict security measures. While SDPI initially planned to submit a written complaint at the police station, the Circle Police Inspector accepted their complaint on-site, reports said.