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Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra said Siddaramaiah’s political ideology is only to discredit the Hindu religion and Hindu practices and to appease followers of other religions.
BJP’s ally, the Janata Dal (Secular), accused Siddaramaiah of lying and misleading the Hindu society. (Image: PTI/File)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that religious conversion is a person’s right and asked why anyone would convert if there was equality in the Hindu community.
The CM’s remark triggered a row, with the BJP challenging him to question Muslims on equality.
“If there was equality, why did untouchability come into existence? Did we create untouchability?” he asked, while pointing out that there can be inequalities in Islam, Christianity, or any religion.
“Neither we nor the BJP asked anyone to convert, but people do convert, and it is their right,” he added.
R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, targeted Siddaramaiah for the remark on Hinduism. “When it comes to equality, you always target Hinduism, don’t you, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah? Do you have the courage to question Muslims on equality?” he asked, India Today reported.
Admitting that the caste system is a curse within Hindu society, the BJP leader said many great reformers have worked to transform Hindu society, but fundamentalism and the jihadi mindset in Islam have never been questioned or corrected.
“Even if reformers have emerged, Muslims have never accepted such change,” Ashoka said.
Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra said Siddaramaiah’s political ideology is only to discredit the Hindu religion and Hindu practices and to appease followers of other religions.
“Why don’t the Chief Ministers, who speak about inequality in the Hindu religion, raise or question the contradictions in Islam, the exploitation of women, and their principle of putting religion before the country?” he asked.
BJP’s ally, the Janata Dal (Secular), accused Siddaramaiah of lying and misleading the Hindu society.
“Sir, is inequality only present in Hinduism? Doesn’t your tongue hesitate to say that “inequality exists” in other religions as well? For political gain, abandon the malicious intent of constantly igniting conflicts between religions and castes. Do not lie and mislead to divide Hindu society. You, who also claim to be a Hindu, why do you speak hypocritical words like “there is no equality in Hindu society” to appease whom? In the 79 years since the country gained independence, Congress has ruled for more than 55 years. The real patron of inequality is none other than the Congress party,” the JD(S) posted on X.
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
September 15, 2025, 14:19 IST
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