Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Dangerous game being played to make Hindu Rashtra: CM

CM SPEAK Gehlot accuses Centre of trying to create a division in society in the name of religion through CAA

- HT Correspond­ent htraj@htlive.com

A ground is being prepared on how to take things towards the making of a Hindu rashtra (nation). Economy must be the prime agenda of the government on which the country depends, or else people die of hunger. But instead of that the agenda of the govt is Article 370 and provocatio­n in the name of nationalis­mm

JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged the BJP government is preparing a ground for making the nation a “Hindu Rashtra” instead of focusing on economy.

“A dangerous game is being played in the country. A ground is being prepared on how to take things towards the making of a Hindu rashtra (nation). Economy must be the prime agenda for the government on which the country depends or else people die of hunger. But instead of that the agenda of the government is article 370 and provocatio­n in the name of nationalis­m,” said Gehlot, referring to the Citizenshi­p Amendment Act (CAA).

He was addressing newsperson­s at his residence in Jaipur on Monday, a day before the state government’s first anniversar­y.

He said the BJP was trying to make CAA a poll issue in the upcoming Panchayati Raj elections. “They are conducting raids t hrough i ncome t ax, enforcemen­t directorat­e etc to mount pressure (on opposition). What is this agenda? There is confusion all around. Every person is afraid if I speak some agency would raid me; this is the country’s situation,” he added.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, Gehlot said CAA creates discrimina­tion in the name of religion. “They (BJP leaders) are trying to create a division in the name of religion,” he alleged, asking whether the country would remain united if they continue to do so.

Gehlot said that the government brought CAA in frustratio­n because their own government could not implement NRC (National Register of Citizens) in Assam and now they want to implement it through the CAA. “North-east is burning. There is widespread reaction on the amendment. This will not be implemente­d because this is impractica­l – around six-seven states have already said this. The government should repeal it,” he said.

Gehlot alleged, “I have heard that all my statements and recordings are being called by PM’S office. Whatever I have said is being asked by Delhi, but I am speaking.”

The chief minister said that during the UPA government rule, talks of India’s emergence as economic superpower used to be there and comparison used to

ASHOK GEHLOT, chief minister

 ??  ?? Actress Payal Rohatgi in Bundi court, which sent her to eight-day judicial custody on Monday for allegedly posting objectiona­ble content against Nehru-gandhi family.
HT PHOTO
Actress Payal Rohatgi in Bundi court, which sent her to eight-day judicial custody on Monday for allegedly posting objectiona­ble content against Nehru-gandhi family. HT PHOTO

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