Babri agitation arrests: 'Kar Sevak' Poojari is a criminal using religion as a cover, says Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the arrested person Srikanth Poojari, who poses himself as a devotee of Lord Rama and a kar sevak, had been using religion as a cover to hide his criminal activities.

"If such individuals are not arrested and are allowed to roam freely, even Lord Rama cannot forgive this," the CM said in a statement to clear the air in the wake of BJP's agitation demanding the release of activists for their role in the Ayodhya agitation 31 years ago.

BJP leaders, who are protesting in support of a person facing allegations of involvement in 16 anti-social activities including illegal liquor sales, gambling, and Matka, should openly declare their party's support for all his alleged criminal actions, or publicly apologize and withdraw their protest, Siddaramaiah said.


"In the year 2023, within the jurisdiction of the Hubballi-Dharwad Commissionerate, 36 people were arrested in connection with crimes including marijuana sales, theft, extortion, fraud, and gambling. Srikanth Poojari is the 32nd person on this list. Should he be released just because he is a kar sevak, or should he be arrested for being a suspect," Siddaramaiah asked. "The BJP's protest is not against our government, but against the country's law and constitution."

The CM sought to know from the BJP that if those involved in criminal activities claimed to be protectors of religion and indulged in murder and extortion, would the party leaders support them too. "The arrest of Srikanth Poojari during the inauguration of the Ram Mandir is merely a coincidence. While reviewing old cases, the police arrested him along with 36 others. There is neither revenge nor appeasement in this. The law has been enforced, and it has been done so in the interest of the public."