Hariprasad Targets Modi Over Religion in Politics, Questions Handling of PSUs

Bengaluru, Sept 19: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B K Hariprasad on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged use of religion in politics and questioned the Centre’s handling of public sector enterprises.

Addressing a Sankalpa meeting of construction workers at Bharat Jodo Bhavan here, Hariprasad said religion should remain a personal matter and alleged that the BJP was bringing religious issues into politics instead of focusing on workers’ welfare and development.

“Why does the government have anything to do with religion? We pray at home. Religion is a personal matter,” he said.

Taking a jibe at Modi over the issue of triple talaq, Hariprasad said, “He talks about triple talaq. Why does he need triple talaq? He is not married.”

Hariprasad also alleged that 26 public sector enterprises had been sold during the Modi government’s tenure and questioned the Centre’s criticism of previous Congress governments.

“From Jawaharlal Nehru to Narasimha Rao, Congress governments built public sector enterprises. Modi keeps asking what Congress has done, but what has happened to these enterprises now?” he asked.

Recalling his tenure as Congress in-charge of Gujarat for four-and-a-half years, Hariprasad claimed that no public sector enterprise was established in the state during that period, while alleging that businessmen Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani were acquiring assets.

He also criticised the use of DJs during religious processions near mosques, saying devotion should not be reduced to such displays.

“Fight for workers’ rights and go to jail, fight for women’s safety and go to jail. But dancing in front of a mosque with a DJ cannot be called devotion,” he said.

Hariprasad urged construction workers to develop a fighting spirit, saying individual progress would contribute to social progress and, ultimately, national development.

His remarks are likely to draw a political response from the BJP, particularly over his comments on religion and his allegations concerning public sector enterprises.