Union Minister for Skill Development Anantkumar Hegde, who is no stranger to controversy, is in the news again for the allegedly comparing Dalit protesters to stray dogs.
The minister’s convoy, on its way to inaugurate a job fair in Ballari, Karnataka, was stopped by Dalit protestors who were criticising his earlier comment on amending the Constitution, reported NDTV.
Later, speaking at the inauguration event, Hegde said “not to bother about stray dogs”, allegedly referring to the protestors.
We will go ahead with our commitment and not bother about barking stray dogs.Anantkumar Hegde
His comment incited anger among the Dalit groups, who according to The Hindu, waved black flags and shouted slogans against the minister as he exited the venue.
Actor Prakash Raj, who has openly criticised the minister over his remarks, asked the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership if they endorsed Hegde’s view. “Supreme leaders of the BJP, will you ask him to step down, or do you endorse his abuse?” the actor asked on Twitter.
Speaking to NDTV, the minister said that his opinion was misinterpreted and blamed the Congress for “deliberately trying to damage his image”.
Hegde recently apologised to the Parliament for his earlier remarks, mocking secularism and describing secular people as "those who do not have an identity of their parental blood.”
(With inputs from NDTV, The Hindu)
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