Bengaluru: Several members of the BJP gathered outside the residence of Congress MP DK Suresh here on Sunday to protest his recent statement that southern states would be forced to demand a separate nation if the 'injustice' in the distribution of funds is not rectified by the Centre.
Protesters were heard shouting slogans 'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'down down D K Suresh' outside his residence in Sadashivanagar here.
However, the protesters were soon removed from the spot by the police and shifted into a bus, police said.
Suresh is the brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D K Shivakumar.
"A group of members from the BJP had gathered outside the residence of the Congress MP. They tried to stage a protest there against his statement over demand for a separate nation for southern states. But, our officials immediately removed them from the spot and took them into custody. The situation is under control," a senior police officer said.
Reacting to the protests, Suresh said in a democracy everyone has the right to protest and freedom of speech. "... I happily welcome their protests... May god bless them," he told reporters here.
Despite the BJP demanding an apology, Suresh told reporters in Delhi on Friday: “I stand by my words. My statements are being twisted. I am being attacked for criticising the disparity being meted out to Kannadigas.”
"I never said this country has to be divided, they (BJP) are moving in that direction, they are trying to do politics," he added.
Suresh, who represents the Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency, had also alleged that Hindi was being ‘imposed' on South India in every aspect.
With PTI inputs