New Delhi: Dramatic scenes unfolded inside the Karnataka Assembly today as BJP leaders and workers protested over pro-Pak slogans raised during the victory celebration of a Congress candidate Syed Naseer Hussain in the Rajya Sabha election. The BJP legislators raised slogans against the state government for not arresting those who allegedly raised the Pro-Pakistan slogans outside the assembly. Slogans including, 'down down congress government which is deciding nation, Spineless government is not capable to take action, we want justice, arrest the culprit, down down government,' were raised by the BJP MLAs in the assembly.  

"It's been 24 hours, no action has been initiated by the government. What can we expect from them," Leader of Opposition R Ashok, said in the assembly.   

  "They (Congress) are allowing pro-Pak (Pakistan) slogans inside Vidhan Sabha. This is a danger to the security and democracy of our country. Still, the government is not taking any action and they are trying to cover up the whole issue...", said former Karnataka CM and BJP leader Basavaraj S Bommai on BJP's protest outside Vidhana Soudha over the alleged slogan raised by Congress MP. 

Reacting to the protest, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government has sent the voice report to FSL and action will be taken after the report is received. "As I have told you already government is committed, we'll not spare any person once the report comes. We have given it to FSL. We'll take action once the report comes," the Chief Minister said. He further criticised the BJP-led central government for not taking against party MP Ananth Kumar Hegde for his alleged statement on changing the Constitution.

"We are the people who fought for freedom not BJP and RSS, did they ever fight for freedom? Did Golwalkar participate and they're teaching us patriotism who doesn't respect democracy and constitution," Siddaramaiah said.  

Earlier on Wednesday, BJP MLCs Ravi Kumar and Tulsi Muniraj Gowda aggressively approached the Congress side in the Assembly, while Congress MLC Abdul Jabbar confronted them in return.

The ruckus erupted following accusations regarding the issuance of passes for entry to followers of Nasir Hussain, who allegedly raised pro-Pak slogans. Amidst the heated exchange, Abdul Jabbar admonished Ravi Kumar, asking him to not incite the people and maintain decorum.

The situation threatened to spiral out of control, prompting marshals to intervene swiftly. 

Who Allegedly Raised Pro-Pak Slogans?

The BJP has alleged that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised while celebrating the victory of Congress’ Syed Naseer Hussain in the premises of the Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday night after the Rajya Sabha election results were out.

Reacting to the allegations, Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara said there was nothing wrong committed by the Congress party in connection with the incident.

He said the incident involving an individual raising the ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogan has been reported in the media. The clippings of the media will be secured and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination. Each media house has presented the story in a different manner, he added.

“The BJP party has also lodged a complaint and both are being investigated. Some are claiming that the slogan was ‘Naseer Hussain Zindabad’ and some alleging that it was the ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogan. If it is scientifically proven that an anti-national slogan is raised they will be punished, if not the question does not arise,” the minister said.

In the meantime, the Karnataka Police have registered a suo motu case regarding the case.