The Hindu : National : Deve Gowda talks tough

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 07, 2006
ePaper

National

National

Deve Gowda talks tough

S. Rajendran

Sets his face against Shoba yatra

BANGALORE: Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda has ruled out the JD(S) being party to according permission for the Datta Mala programme on Friday, and the Shoba yatra and the Datta Jayanthi celebrations in December at Bababudangiri in Chikmagalur district.

These programmes have turned out to a major controversy in Karnataka over the past few years, and the High Court has ruled that the rituals at the Datta Peeta be restricted to what prevailed prior to 1975.

"Come what may," the JD (S) would not be a party to such "fanatic programmes which stoke ill-will between two communities," Mr. Gowda told The Hindu on Friday.

He said, "We have seen it happen in the past, and I do not want the JD (S) to be party to such activities. For many, who believed that I was one with my son [Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy] in forming the Government with the Bharatiya Janata Party, this is a godsend to exhibit my secular ideology and that of the JD (S)."

The former Prime Minister said political parties had no role in directing the district administration, including the police, to grant permission for any programme. "None can be above the law of the land. If the BJP Ministers and leaders want to violate the prohibitory orders presently in force, then the authorities would obviously be compelled to arrest them."

The demand for according permission to the "hindutva programmes" was restricted to a section of the BJP, which has been against the coalition Government from day one. The BJP remained quiet when the Shoba yatra and the Datta Jayanthi were banned last year, and some of its leaders were arrested the previous year when they violated the prohibitory orders.

"Being in power at the present juncture, should it run the risk of damaging the reputation of the Government," he asked.

He saw a link between the denial of permission for the programmes and the violence in various parts of the Dakshin Kannada district over the past two days.

Three public interest litigations were pending on the issue, and it was only recently that the High Court, in a specific interim order, directed the Government to maintain law and order.

"How can the authorities maintain law and order without clamping prohibitory orders, more so, when there is a divergent stand between two groups — the BJP and the Souharda Vedike? When thousands of people gather, it could possibly result in largescale violence and the Congress would enjoy another opportunity to seek President's rule. It is for the BJP to understand these consequences, and should this Government fall, Mr. Kumaraswamy will emerge a martyr," Mr. Gowda said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section