Karnataka Assembly is witnessing a heated argument between Congress and BJP over Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Opposition Leader R Ashoka targeted the Siddaramaiah government citing several incidents.

Karnataka Assembly: Wednesday was not a good day in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly as heated verbal exchanges took place between the opposition BJP and the ruling Congress members over the issue of Ram Mandir and Hanuman flag.

It was a debate on law and order in the state.

Opposition Leader R Ashoka targeted the Siddaramaiah government by citing several incidents that took place recently, alleging that the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state. It was during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the governor's speech before the joint session of the state legislature.

When Ashoka referred to the arrest of Shrikanth Pujari in connection with a 1992 violence case during the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, prior to the consecration of the Lord Ram Lalla idol at the temple in Ayodhya, and called him a 'Karsevak', Congress members objected by stating that Pujari had a criminal background and was involved in Matka (gambling) business.

Congress members alleged that the BJP was insulting genuine Karsevaks and redefining Karsevak by using the term while referring to him.

Following this, there was a slugfest between the two parties as several BJP members alleged that the Congress governments had filed false cases against those involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation and the Karsevaks in the past.

Ashoka questioned the intention behind Pujari's recent arrest after “such a long period”, claiming that it appears to have been done to send a message to other Karsevaks and Lord Ram Bhakts ahead of the inauguration of Ram Mandir.

BJP MLA and party's state general secretary Sunil Kumar said Congress was a party that officially 'boycotted' the inauguration of Ram Mandir and today they are talking about the Karsevaks.

“This (boycotting the inauguration of the temple) shows their devotion (towards Lord Ram). What kind of morals do they have,” he told Congress members, including Minister Priyank Kharge, who raised serious objections and tried to justify their party's stand.

“Answer Shankaracharyas' objections first, not us,” Kharge said.

When Ashoka pointed out that the Congress had objected to the fact that the President of India was not invited for the inauguration of the temple, Kharge and some Congress MLAs, before deciding to boycott the event, said that “it (objection) was in breach of the trust (Ram Janmabhoomi). Teerth Kshetra), what is BJP's interest in this? Why is the BJP repeatedly talking about it (Congress boycott) when it was not a central government event? Sunil Kumar said, “It (Ram Mandir) is our interest. It was our commitment. We said the temple would come up on site and we delivered. It was our promise.” This once again led to chaos, with the BJP members banging on desks, engaging in a verbal duel with Congress members and shouting slogans of “Jai Sri Ram”, “Down to Rama Virodhis”. They also lashed out at Congress, accusing them of questioning Ram's existence and taking the matter to court.

Kharge, who strongly objected to the BJP's slogans, said slogans like 'Jai Basavanna', 'Jai Bhim' and 'Jai Samvidhana' are coming out of their mouths, while some Congress MLAs claimed that they too are shouting 'Rama Bhaktas' are. Subsequently, when Ashok raised the issue of removal of Hanuman flag (Hanuma Dwaja), hoisted from a 100 feet high flagpole, by the government authorities at Keragodu village in Mandya district, Mandya MLA Ravikumar Gowda (Ravi Ganiga ) of Congress and minister Cheluvarayaswamy, along with other party lawmakers objected to it.

A heated argument ensued when Cheluvarayaswamy accused the BJP of “fanning the flames” in Mandya and disrespecting the national flag by demanding its replacement with the saffron flag.

Sunil Kumar and Ashoka hit back, accusing the Congress of opposing the hoisting of the national flag at Hubballi grounds in Idgah in the past. They also accused the Congress of disrespecting the national flag in its rush to replace the “Hanuma Dwaja” that was already there with the tricolor.

While Ashoka accused the Congress of “hating” Lord Ram and Hanuman, Ravikumar Gowda sang a 'shloka' in praise of Lord Ram and challenged the former to recite one.

(With PTI inputs)