A bomb blast on March 1, 2024 at Rameswaram Cafe in
Bengaluru, Karnataka, injured 10 people and sent shockwaves across the
country. Police conducted a preliminary
"investigation, and CCTV
footage of the suspect has been
released. The NIA is investigating.
Meanwhile, ShobhaKarandlaje the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister of State for Food Processing Industries stated without any evidence that the Tamils are the ones who have the bomb. Her hate speech is aimed at harming the unity of Kannada and Tamils.
The Union Minister's speech is being criticized. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has strongly condemned this. ``She (BJP minister Shoba) must either be an NIA officer or closely related to this blast incident to speak to the detriment of the peace, harmony and unity of the country. Kannadigas along with Tamils will reject this divisive talk of BJP. Legal action should be taken against Shoba. He condemned that the Election Commission should take strict action immediately.
Edappadi Palaniswami and others have also registered their condemnation. There is no doubt that BJP Union Minister Shobha is trying to ignite conflict between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka by sowing hatred.
At the same time Prime Minister Modi came to Tamil Nadu and praised the Tamils, while his cabinet colleague Shobha has vilified the Tamils. Will Prime Minister Modi condemn her? Will the NIA, which is looking for evidence to arrest the culprit, bring the minister into its interrogation ring?
Now that the Election Code of Conduct has come into force, the main responsibility to take action now rests with the Election Commission of India.
According to latest reports ShobaKarandlaje has tendered an apology for her speech. Although the controversy ends with this and will assuage the hurt feelings of Tamils, the Minister’s speech calls for official scrutiny and action.
In a democracy let us hope that the rule of law will be upheld and let not the Ministers and elected representatives indulge in controversial, divisive remarks.