New Delhi/Bengaluru, June 29 (IANS) Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Monday strongly criticised Karnataka Congress President B.K. Hariprasad for his recent “Gandhi-Godse-Cow” remarks and accused him of attempting to appease the Congress high command through desperate and divisive politics.
It may be noted that Hariprasad allegedly delivered a divisive speech in Mysuru, where he claimed that “those who kill cattle go to jail, while those who kill humans become PMs and CMs”.
In a post on X on Monday, Pralhad Joshi said such statements were a reflection of political frustration and represented the lowest standards of public discourse, aimed at disturbing communal harmony rather than addressing the real concerns of the people.
He said that ever since the Congress came to power in Karnataka, the government had neglected public welfare and instead focused on appeasement politics, vote-bank calculations and creating divisions within society.
The Congress leadership has consistently prioritised political gains over governance and development, he said.
Joshi stated that the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers across the country are democratically elected by millions of citizens through the constitutional process.
Irrespective of ideological differences, drawing such derogatory comparisons with holders of the nation’s highest constitutional offices amounts to disrespecting not only those offices but also the mandate of the people who elected them, he stated.
Taking a sharp dig at the Congress, the Union Minister remarked that while its leaders frequently preach Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth and non-violence, they conveniently abandon those principles whenever it suits their political agenda.
The party is attempting to revive its fading political fortunes by resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and aligning itself with “fake Gandhis” for electoral gains, he alleged.
The Minister also charged the Congress with conveniently forgetting its own historical failures, including the imposition of the Emergency and other tragic chapters in India’s history, while repeatedly indulging in provocative statements to divert public attention from its shortcomings.
He urged Hariprasad and the Congress leadership to first learn to respect constitutional institutions and the dignity of public offices before preaching morality to others.
Such irresponsible remarks threaten social harmony and are motivated purely by political desperation, he said.
Expressing confidence in the people of Karnataka, the Minister said the electorate would give a fitting response to the Congress government in the days ahead for what he described as its divisive and irresponsible politics.
–IANS
mka/pgh
