Mysuru: BJP distributed 1 lakh saffron scarves to schools, says KPCC spokesman

MYSURU: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesman M Lakshmana on Wednesday charged the BJP with fanning the flames of communal hatred using the hijab controversy as an excuse. Lakshmana claimed that the BJP had distributed one lakh saffron scarves in the past three days.
“The BJP is trying to polarise the student community. The BJP stirred up the controversy over the hijab to divert the attention of the public, who were upset with the Centre for rejecting the Kerala government’s suggestion to feature the tableau of reformer Shri Narayana Guru in the Republic Day Parade.The government must initiate action against BJP leaders including Raghupathi Bhat, Pratap Simha and CT Ravi for inciting communal clashes,” Lakshmana said.
Alleging that one lakh saffron scarves were transported from an industry in Pennya in Bengaluru to schools and colleges across Karnataka, Lakshmana said, “The competent agencies must be asked to probe this matter. The Congress will release relevant documents on this within three days. The BJP is destroying this state, which had overtaken all others in terms of development.”
Questioning the failure on the part of the Mandya superintendent of police to visit the college where the hijab-clad girl was heckled by students wearing saffron scarves, Lakshmana said, “The protest by these saffron-clad youngsters is being sponsored by the BJP. The saffron party is trying to use this controversy to make gains in the five poll-bound states.”
Mysuru MP Pratap Simha came under attack from Lakshmana for the former’s remarks against Narasimharaja Congress MLA Tanveer Sait. “Simha’s remarks on Sait’s ancestors having been Hindus, who converted to Islam are to be regretted. Simha’s ancestors were Muslims who later converted to Hindus. Why did Simha delete his tweet on the Mandya incident? The MP is trying to foment communal discord,” Lakshmana rued.