Jesus Christ statue in Bengaluru | Photo Credit: Times Now

Key Highlights In a video message, Shivakumar said that he had just facilitated the construction part of the project BJP government in Karnataka has ordered a probe into the construction of the statue

Bengaluru: A massive political row has erupted over the installation of a 114-feet granite statue of Jesus Christ by Congress MLA from Kanakapura DK Shivakumar. The ruling BJP has alleged that the land was acquired via 'illegal means' and stalled the project questioning the source of funds for the construction of the statue. Shivakumar has, however, said that as the representative of the people of his constituency, he merely facilitated the construction of the statue.

"It is not my decision but that of villagers of the Christian community, being MLA I have to help. The land was given for it, everything is legal," he said. Shivakumar further added that the RSS and BJP were free to petition anybody against the construction of the statue.

The Hindu outfits have organised a rally and a memorandum, signed by the public is expected to be submitted to the local authorities. The ruling party and other right-wing organisations have objected to the construction of the said statue at Kapala Betta and the BJP has ordered a probe into how power supplies and road were provided towards the construction of the same.

"If any remarks are made against me, my brother (DK Suresh) or people of different faiths in Kanakapura constituency, do not be provoked,” Shivakumar appealed to his constituency in a video message on Sunday.

“Members of the (Christian) community have prayed at the site for 400 years and are trying to install a statue of Jesus Christ. I have helped the community like I aided hundreds of temples and educational institutions,” he had further said in the video message.

According to PTI, in the last week of December, a row broke out over this proposed construction backed by Congressman DK Shivakumar, with the state's ruling BJP terming it as an appeasement policy by the previous JDS and Congress coalition government.

PTI cites current Karnataka state revenue minister R Ashoka saying that the land, said to have been purchased for construction of the statue, is not owned by Shivakumar and that it is a gomala land, ie. pasture land meant for community use.

The predominantly Christian community locality of Kapalibetta in Harobele village lies 80 km from DK Shivakumar's

Assembly constituency Kanakapura.

With Kapalibetta being referred on some social sites as Yesubette, the state revenue minister told PTI: "For thousands of years it has been known as Kapalibette and for no reason will we now allow its name to be changed. BJP leaders - as cited in the PTI report, slammed Shivakumar for pulling off this act just to appease his party's high command.