1.How do you react to the attack on former minister Tanveer Sait?.
SDPI condemns the attack. In a democratic setup, using weapons to attack a people’s representative is not acceptable. We demand that the police department conduct a thorough investigation ascertain the exact reason why it took place. Investigating agencies should also probe the angle of Mr Sait’s life being threatened by underworld don Ravi Poojari, who had demanded `10 crore from him when he was the education minister. The threat to his life had began during his tenure as a minister. Second, the accused had told police that his outburst came after he decided elected representatives are useless. The accused youth had requested Mr Sait to get him a job, which had been ignored. These angles must be investigated. Third, the SDPI’s name is being dragged into the attack on Mr Sait. The reason given is that the accused had uploaded a picture of himself participating in a programme organised by the SDPI. The programme had taken place in Mysuru, when we were fielding a candidate in the state assembly election. He had participated in a programme organised by the party. The candidate was contesting against former minister Mr Sait and giving him tough competition also. For that reason, the accused might have identified himself with SCPI. However, these facts have to be ascertained in the investigation. He might have participated and we condemn it. If someone like him had been in our party, and we knew, we would have taken disciplinary action against him. But he is not our party worker.
2. Are you saying the accused Farhan had no connection whatsoever with SDPI?
No. We can’t say that. SDPI is a national political party. There will be lakhs of supporters. They might not like our principles and objectives but during election season or when public rallies are held,large numbers of people attend. Not all these people are our party workers, however. The accused might have come to the programme but that doesn’t make him a party worker. He may have been a ‘fan’,or liked the party for contesting against Mr Sait, for he might have had a personal grudge. Investigations will reveal the truth.
3. Is there politicization of the issue?
Absolutely. The issue is politicised. It was clear in the statement made by former CM Siddaramaiah, when he visited Mr Sait in hospital. He had stated that the role of SDPI party in the incident should be ascertained in the investigation. We can’t say anything now. The photo of the accused standing with Mr Sait had reached police. Whether the attack is the handiwork of the Congress or SDPI or anyone, whether it was a personal grudge... will come to light with the investigation. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had reacted to Siddaramaiah’s statement and politicised the issue. This issue should not be made use of for political reasons.
4. Is the name of SDPI dragged in to contain the party in the bypolls?
Our candidates are being fielded in Shivajinagar and Hunsur constituencies. As a result, the most aggrieved party here is the Congress. Because, we are educating people how the Congress MLAs defeated their aspirations. Our campaigns and vote base will definitely affect the prospects of the Congress party. We can’t say anything now.
5.Is SDPI party, a face of banned organization PFI?
These are all baseless allegations. There is no connection with SDPI and PFI. That is a social organization and SDPI is a national political party. There is no relation between the two. However, based on the issues, we jointly plan various programmes by joining hands with organisations. On Nov 10, we had celebrated Tipu Jayanthi by joining hands with Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS). Is it fair to say that there is a connection between SDPI and DSS? This allegation is being made since the inception of the SDPI party. We have been denying these allegations. There are certain players who have a particular agenda behind defaming the party.
6. Investigation agencies are also maintained that there is connection between SDPI and banned outfit PFI?
No. Not even a single investigating agency had issued an official statement of this sort. A few media organisations attribute their reports to 'National Intelligence Agency (NIA) sources' and ‘intelligence reports’. However, there is no official circular or proof to substantiate this.
7. At this stage, what do you want to tell people?
We will only say this. Yes. Tanveer Sait is our political opponent and we had given him a tough fight in the last two elections. We got defeated with a very thin margin. But, this does not mean we oppose him. Once he won the elections, he became our elected representative and represents all voters irrespective of whether they voted for him or not. We wish Tanveer Sait a speedy recovery and we also demand a fair investigation by the police department.
No connection with banned outfits: SDPI
Have banned outfits like the Student Islamic Movements of India (SIMI), which have been banned, simply resurfaced in a new shape in the Popular Front of India? The SDPI has termed these links, which have surfaced in some media reports, as unsubstantial. When PFI was banned and investigative agencies began questioning members, the SDPI party was formed, investigative agencies have been quoted repeatedly as saying. After the ban on PFI in Kerala, the group appealed in the High Court, which upheld the government’s decision. In Karnataka, there have been statements by politicians in favour of a ban but the government is still to give an official notification in this regard.
According to political thinker Chakravarthy Sulibele, “It’s evident that SDPI and PFI are interconnected. Everyone knows it. Former CM Siddaramaiah had also spoken of the Mysuru incident being connected with SDPI. He had withdrawn cases against PFI workers but the moment it boomeranged on his own party leader, he has started speaking very differently. Political interference should not come into matters of this nature,” he says. SDPI has condemned the attempts by what it calls ‘vested’ media houses that have spoken of these ties also. According to the party, these are false reports aimed at misleading the people while the police investigation is in progress. The party calls it against the ethics of journalism and urge the media to understand their responsibility and do their duty honestly.”
