Karnataka Polls: UCC, NRC will destroy the state P Chidambaram

New Delhi: Amid the raging "Bajrang Dal" row, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said his party's Karnataka polls manifesto did not state that the outfit will be banned but promised "decisive action" under law as a warning to all organisations that indulge in hate-mongering.

Ahead of the May 10 Karnataka assembly polls, Chidamabram expressed confidence that the people of the state will choose wisely, asserting that the choice is stark as Karnataka could either become a model of a liberal, democratic, plural, tolerant and progressive state or an inward-looking, majoritarian, intolerant and regressive state.

Chidambaram, who is a star campaigner of the Congress for the polls, said he can sense the desire for change in the state.

Q1. The BJP has promised implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the introduction of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.

Ans: Both these issues have the potential to divide society and trigger social conflict. We have the experience of what happened in some northern and north-eastern states. I think the people of Karnataka have absorbed the lessons and will reject these election proposals or promises of the BJP.

Q2. The Bajrang Dal issue in the Cognress manifesto has become a poll issue how will that impact the elections?

Ans: The Congress manifesto did not say that "we will ban the Bajrang Dal". Please read the two sentences again. There is a reference to two organisations that use extreme language and indulge in extreme actions. The Congress warned all organisations that indulge in hate-mongering. The Congress promised 'decisive action' under law. Besides, under the law, banning an organisation is a judicial process. I have wondered how Bajrang Dal became Bajrangbali! Can you please explain the magical transformation?

The Congress, in its election manifesto for the Karnataka polls, said it is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion.

We believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law, including imposing a ban on any such organisations.

Q3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the issue of abuses being hurled at him and will that have an impact on the elections?

Ans: What is 'abuse' is a matter of perception? Robust political language in an election is not abuse. Besides, shall we play tit-for-tat and count the abuses hurled by BJP leaders against Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Rahul Gandhi? This is a pointless exercise.

Q4. What would be your message to the people of Karnataka?

Ans 4: We believe that a positive result for the Congress in the Karnataka election will herald the arrest of the slide of the nation into majoritarianism, bigotry, illiberalism, crony capitalism and indifferent economic growth. There is a clear and present danger. Sooner the nation wakes up to the danger, the better it will be for the country and the future of the people.

Inputs from PTI