If you arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, state will go up in flames, dares BSY

Former chief minister and BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa has warned that the state will go up in flames if the government arrests RSS strongman Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.

His inflammatory reaction comes in the wake of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's instruction to police officers of Dakshina Kannada and Mangaluru districts not to spare anyone who provokes communal hatred in the region.

"The state will go up in flames if the government touches Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. The workers will come out on to the streets and the state will be held responsible if there were any untoward incidents," Yeddyurappa told mediapersons in Mangaluru. He also came down heavily on former IPS officer Kempaiah who advises CM on home matters. "Kempaiah is not doing anything to build harmony in the region. It's better he stays out of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts as he is stoking communally hatred feelings here. Also, ministers UT Khader and Ramanath Rai should be barred from visiting the region, for at least three months," said Yeddyurappa quickly adding even BJP leaders will also stay away and this will ensure peace in the region, television channels reported.

When mediapersons asked him how he could make such statements being the state president of BJP and former chief minister, Yeddyurappa quickly tried to clarify that neither BJP nor any right wing activists will indulge in arson but it is the people who may unleash fury if Kalladka Bhat is arrested.

Bantwal which has been witnessing communal clashes following the death of leaders from both right wing and minority organisations is still under the Prohibitory orders. When the situation is so sensitive in the region, one would expect Yeddyurappa to exercise some restrain than making such irresponsible statements.

• yeddyurappa
• kalladka prabhakar bhat