After Kiran Majumdar-Shaw’s remarks on religious divide, Karnataka CM Bommai calls for restraint

Speaking in the Assembly, Bommai said, “My appeal to all concerned is that we have been living with our beliefs all these years. Everyone should cooperate in maintaining peace and order. Karnataka is known for peace and progress, and everyone should observe restraint… When social issues arise, there is a possibility for us to discuss and resolve it. So before going public, everyone should observe restraint.”

On Wednesday, in what marked the first significant corporate voice of concern over the recent events in Karnataka – from the hijab row to efforts by hardline Hindutva groups to keep out Muslim traders from temple festivals, to calls for a ban on halal meat – Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson of Biocon Ltd, had tweeted: “Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must not allow such communal exclusion — if IT/BT became communal it would destroy our global leadership.” She also tagged Bommai and said: “Please resolve this growing religious divide.”

Mazumdar-Shaw’s tweet was in response to a report published in The Indian Express on Wednesday on the temple fair row: ‘Unease grows, Karnataka temple committees, traders admit pressure’.

In a subsequent tweet, she posted, “Our CM is a very progressive leader. I am sure he will resolve this issue soon.”

Bommai’s response to Majumdar-Shaw’s comments come at a time when his silence on some of the recent campaigns by right-wing groups in the state was being questioned by the opposition and civil society groups. The CM has been claiming that the state government is focused on implementing a development agenda and that it will act when needed. “We know when to act and we will do so. We are not going to intervene until it is required,” he said recently.

On Thursday, Mazumdar-Shaw’s tweet drew a sharp reaction from BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya. “Did she speak up when a belligerent minority sought to prioritise Hijab over education or Congress framed rules excluding non-Hindus from Hindu institutions. She helped Congress draft their manifesto. Explains?” he tweeted. “It is unfortunate to see people like Kiran Shaw impose their personal, politically coloured opinion, and conflate it with India’s leadership in the ITBT sector…” he added.

Soon after, Majumdar-Shaw posted another tweet, again tagging Bommai: “Unfortunately, vested interests are hijacking the issue to political parties. I am confident our CM will resolve the matter peacefully. I am a proud Kannadiga and don’t want to see these incidents detract from economic progress. All parties need to work towards this.”

Provide protection to pilgrims: Bommai

In another development, the Chief Minister requested his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Jagan Mohan Reddy to provide protection to devotees from Karnataka who visit Srisailam in the neighbouring state.

Many pilgrims from Karnataka on their way back from a religious fair in Srisailam were reportedly injured in a clash with local pilgrims.

“I have been in constant contact with Andhra Pradesh officials since yesterday night. The situation is now under control. Two pilgrims were seriously injured and hospitalised. They are recovering. Efforts are on to speak to the Andhra Pradesh chief minister,” said Bommai.