Karnataka seer demands stripping Muslims of voting rights

Bengaluru: A seer in Karnataka demanded that a law should be brought to remove Muslims' voting power. The seer, Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji, claimed that if Muslims do not have the right to vote, the community will stay to themselves, and everyone else could live in peace, PTI reported.

He made the problematic statement in the context of Waqf row, saying that farmers and their lands should be protected. Waqf board should be abolished and stated that someone taking away someone else's land is not "Dharma".

"...everyone should fight against the injustice being caused to farmers...it is said that the Waqf board can claim anyone's land. It is a big injustice...someone taking away someone else's land is not Dharma... So, everyone should fight to ensure that farmers' land remains with them," the seer, addressing a protest meeting by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said.

"Everyone should think and see to it that the Waqf board itself is not there....as politicians do things for the sake of votes. A law should be brought in where the Muslim community don't have the voting power....it should certainly be done. In Pakistan, they have done it, others don't have power to vote there," he claimed.

"Similarly, even in India, if we ensure that they (Muslims) don't have a right to vote, then they will stay to themselves, and everyone can remain peacefully," he added.

In Karnataka, a section of farmer groups, organisations and the opposition BJP were holding protests against the Waqf law. This is when the seer says, "..no issue even if the government falls. Everyone should stay together on this issue (Waqf)," PTI quoted him.