If Hindu Girl Is Touched By A Hand, That Hand Should Not Exist: Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde

The Union minister for Skill Development, Ananth Kumar Hegde is once again in the news for making controversial statements. This time the minister, while addressing a rally organised by the Hindu Jagarana Vedike in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, on Sunday said that any hand that touches a Hindu girl should be cut.

He said, “There should be a fundamental shift in our thinking. We should keenly observe what’s happening around us. Regardless of caste and religion, a hand that touches a Hindu girl should not exist.”

#WATCH: Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde in Kodagu, "We have to rethink about priorities of our society. We shouldn’t think of caste. If a Hindu girl is touched by a hand, then that hand should not exist." #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/4uVNnIrNeu

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2019

Following this, the minister also made a personal remark on Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Retaliation on Hegde’s remark

Like minister’s previous controversial statements, this all also attracted a lot of criticism. The KPCC, Dinesh Gundu Rao while condemning the minister’s said that nothing better could be expected from the minister and that he was openly calling for vigilantism.

He tweeted, “Wht are ur achievements after becoming a Union Minister or as MP? Wht are ur contributions for Karnataka’s development? All I can say for sure, it’s deplorable tht such people have become ministers & have managed to get elected as MP’s.”

⁦@AnantkumarH⁩
Wht are ur achievements after becoming a Union Minister or as MP?
Wht are ur contributions for Karnataka’s development?
All I can say for sure,it’s deplorable tht such people have become ministers & have managed to get elected as MP’s. https://t.co/IMtjPSj9aK

— Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) January 27, 2019

This led to social media banter between the two ministers. Hitting a new low, Minister Hegde, attacked Gundu Rao’s wife and made personal comments on his ‘inter-religion’ marriage.

He replied,” I only know him as a guy who ran behind a Muslim lady.”

I shall definitely answer this guy @dineshgrao's queries, before which could he please reveal himself as to who he is along with his achievements?
I only know him as a guy who ran behind a Muslim lady. https://t.co/8hVJ2wQXMU

— Anantkumar Hegde (@AnantkumarH) January 27, 2019

The spat between the two did not stop there. Gundu Rao and his wife, Tabbu Rao also further tweeted.

Sad to see @AnantkumarH stoop to such low levels as to bring in personal issues.
Guess it’s his lack of culture.
Guess he hasn’t learnt from our Hindu scriptures.
Time hasn’t run out, he can still try and become a more dignified human. https://t.co/AaX5OuUAVb

— Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) January 28, 2019

Tabbu Rao, claimed that she has been the soft target for the BJP leaders.

My response to Union minister Mr Ananth Kumar Hegde's statement which are disrespectful to my family and me. Unfortunately, I am unable to tag him because he has blocked me. @dineshgrao pic.twitter.com/ZsiBf2jgKB

— Tabu Rao (@TabbuRao) January 28, 2019

Other ministers also took on to Twitter to condemn Hegde’s remarks.

.@AnantkumarH is not fit to be an MP. He should apologise & resign immediately for his insensitive comments towards @dineshgrao & also for his provocative statements aimed at creating social conflicts.

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 28, 2019

This disgusting bigot and misogynist BJP Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde has earlier made it clear he hates the Indian Constitution. BJP, Modi Govt think of women as property of their communities. Oh btw I wonder why the hand of rapist BJP Unnao MLA Kuldeep Sengar still exists?! https://t.co/HNdRboZiuo

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 27, 2019

Anantkumar Hegde would rather we discuss his hate speech rather than his utter failure as Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

By focussing on his idiocy we let him, and people like him, get away with their betrayal of the country, and its future.

— Omair Ahmad (@OmairTAhmad) January 28, 2019

No stranger to controversies

It is not the first time that Hegde has kicked up a storm by his comments and regressive thoughts. The Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Anant kumar Hegde, earlier in 2017, courted another controversy by saying, that his party- the ruling BJP, will “soon change the Constitution”.

He said, “Some people say the Constitution says secular and you must accept it. We will respect the Constitution, but the Constitution has changed several times and it will change in the future too. We are here to change the Constitution and we’ll change it,” as reported by The Indian Express.

He was attending an event organised by Brahmana Yuva Parishat at Koppal district in Karnataka on December 24. While speaking at the event he said, “I will be happy if someone identifies as Muslim, Christian, Brahmin, Lingayat or Hindu. But trouble will arise if they say they are secular”.

Earlier in January this year, the minister while talking about the Kerala government’s handling of the Sabarimala temple issue said that it is the “daylight rape” of Hindus.

#WATCH Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde on #Sabarimala row says, "Kerala govt entirely failed. It’s totally daylight rape on Hindu people." pic.twitter.com/brKdVApSZ8

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019

In one of the addresses in Kundapura, Karnataka in November last year he sarcastically said that the Congress government would start celebrating terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and Osama Bin Laden: “Today, they will celebrate Tipu Jayanti, then Hyder Ali, then Afzal Guru, Ajmal Kasab and Bin Laden.”

In September 2017, the five-time BJP MP from Uttara Kannada constituency was barred from entering New Delhi for six months after he assaulted doctors at a private hospital at Sirsi, Karnataka.

In February 2016, he was also booked under section 295A section of IPC for making hateful comments on Islam in a Press conference held at Sirsi.

The list is long, as the minister has made many castists, sexist and religious remarks time and again.

The Logical Indian take

It is very appalling to witness a Union Minister making such hateful comments. What is surprising is that this is not the first controversial comment by the minister. However, the BJP government to which the minister belongs has never taken any action. Such response by the BJP government will probably encourage more ministers to make such Islamophobic and sexist remarks.

Also Read: Indian Medical Association Urges PM To Remove ‘Assaulter’ Minister Anant Hegde From Cabinet