Mosque not a religious place, just a building: Swamy

Bengaluru, Mar 15, 2015, Agencies: Subramanaim Swamy has once again courted controversy by making statements that a mosque is not a religious structure and could be demolished any time.

 

The BJP leader made the controversial statement at a function in Guwahati which led to protests and a criminal case being filed against him.

 

Swamy was quoted in Hindustan Times as saying, “A mosque is not a religious place. It is just a building. It can be demolished any time. If anyone disagrees with me on this, I am ready to have a debate on the issue. I got this information from people of Saudi Arabia.”

 

The statements have received wide spread condemnation from all the parties. Even the BJP distanced itself from Swamy’s statements with state BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharjee quoted in Times of India, saying "Every time he comes to the state, he makes such statements only to be in the news. I am sending video clippings of his statements to our national leadership. Whatever he said are his personal views."

 

Acting on a complaint filed by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) the police have registered a FIR under IPC sections 120 (B) [criminal conspiracy] and 153 (A) [promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion] against Swamy.

 

Swamy had previously stirred up controversy when he had said that the 1985 Assam Accord had become outdated and needed major amendments.