BELAGAVI: Expressing anguish over a spate of controversies surrounding the minority communities in Karnataka since January, senior Karnataka minister J Madhuswamy on Sunday warned right-wing fringe groups of strict action if the situation went out of hand and assured equality to all citizens of the state as enshrined in the Constitution.
Madhuswamy, who handles law and parliamentary affairs, is the first senior minister to openly voice disappointment after issues like hijab, halal and banning non-Hindu traders during temple fairs turned controversial. “The government has no role to play in these issues. All those who chose to stay back in India after Independence are Indians. This country belongs to everyone. The state will not give any quarter for such fringe elements (to stoke controversies),” he said.