For a BJP leader in Karnataka, the high concentration of Christians and Muslims in some parts of the country is dangerous and a matter of concern that has to be resolved.
B. L. Santosh, Karnataka BJP party general secretary, stirred up the heat with a controversial comment on minorities in a panel discussion on "New India: Demography—Dividend or Danger" at the ongoing Mangaluru Literature Festival.
The leader said, 50% of the Christian population in the country are concentrated in South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Another 37% of the Christians are from northeast India.
Citing an example, Santosh said, "The concentration of minorities only in some areas is a threat and this has to be resolved. The Malabar district [referring to the Malabar belt] in Kerala is a good example. There is a high concentration of the Muslim population and hence, they had demanded a separate North Malabar state."
Since the communities are not evenly spread, the central government will take steps with tackle the situation, the BJP general secretary added.
Santhosh asserted that "The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is not a tool to target people on religious lines but is being done on humanitarian grounds. Hindus who were persecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan had come here seeking refuge. Those people will be given citizenship. Religion has nothing to do with this.
