State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday urged the governments in Karnataka and Maharashtra to immediately intervene and ensure that the law and order situation was not disturbed over the escalating language row, which has led to a tense situation on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border.
Responding to questions on the attack on a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi and the suspension of bus services over the tense situation, Mr. Vijayendra urged the Siddaramaiah government not to allow the miscreants to create trouble over the language issue and disturb peace. The government must act so that the issue does not prolong and affect the law and order situation.
Whoever is threatening and insulting Kannadigas must be dealt with. Kannadigas are strong and cannot be threatened. They are “brave and know how to give back” if their sentiments are threatened, Mr. Vijayendra said, while speaking to reporters in Mysuru.
He said the Karnataka and Maharashtra governments must take responsible steps on this matter even as some people were raking up the issue in their favour and hurting the feelings of Kannadigas. If the Kannadigas’ sentiments are hurt, the Karnataka government must step in and take measures accordingly, he said.
When asked whether the issue will take a political turn, he said, “I do not think the Congress government will politicise the issue since it concerns the people of Karnataka.”
