Cow slaughter curse killed Indira & Sanjay Gandhis: BJP MP claims
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Uttara Kannada: BJP MP from Karnataka, Anantkumar Hegde, claimed on Saturday that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as well as Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi were cursed due to cow slaughter and both died of unnatural causes on "Gopasthami day", Times of India reported.
Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her own security guards, while Sanjay Gandhi died in a plane crash. As per the BJP leader, both were cursed by the revered ascetic Karpatri Maharaj during a significant agitation against cow slaughter.
Addressing a programme in Kumta, Hegde said that there was a large agitation going on against cow slaughter during Indira Gandhi's term as PM. During the movement, dozens of saints died while dozens of saints were killed. Cows were slaughtered or shot in the presence of Indira Gandhi. Then, the "great ascetic" Karpatri Maharaj cursed Indira Gandhi, he claimed.
According to the MP, the ascetic cursed that Indira Gandhi's clan would be destroyed on "Gopasthami day". Thus, Indira and Sanjay got killed on Gopasthami days.
In a controversial statement, he said that Karnataka's Bhatkal mosque would have the same fate as Babri Masjid. The Hindu society will tear down the mosque in no time, he warned.
He asked to consider his statement as a threat and said that there is a mosque in CP Bazaar of Sirasi, which, according to his claim, was Vijaya Vitthal Temple.
"Our opponent is not Congress but the mentality of some people," he was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted to the MP's statements that it is the way "they" express themselves with no respect. The use of offensive language would not affect him, but it reflects Hegde's character.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara reacted by saying that Anantkumar Hegde must speak responsibly. He said that the BJP MP remained silent for three years and surfaced ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, implying the MP had motives. They don't object to Hegde expressing his opinions, but when the statements are "abusive, defamatory, provocative, or intimidating", the police will take note, and they will act legally, India Today reports.