Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the son of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has urged people to prevent the saffron brigade from making India a Hindu Rashtra, so as to ensure it did not become "bankrupt and dictatorial" like Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"Ambedkar had said that if our nation becomes a Hindu Rastra then there is no greater danger. Today Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have become bankrupt by dictatorship in the name of religion. People lost their rights there," he said while addressing a rally.

"Today there is a threat to secularism due to the BJP and RSS. They want to make a Hindu Rastra. We shouldn't give them that opportunity. If not we too will be in the same situation as Pakistan and Afghanistan," Yathindra added.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader BK Hariprasad had alleged that attempts were on to replicate a Godhra-type incident ahead of the installation of Lord Rama's statue at Ayodhya.

"Back in Gujarat, Karsevaks were burnt alive in Godhra (of Gujarat on February 27, 2002). They are attempting to replicate that incident in Karnataka. We must not allow such untoward incidents to take place here.

"We need to give adequate security to all those visiting Ayodhya. We cannot afford another Godhra in Karnataka," Harisprasad said.

The Congress leader also termed BJP's protests over Ramjanmabhoomi Karsevak Shrikant Poojari's arrest "politically motivated and fictitious". "The government should take all precautions in Karnataka," Hariprasad said.

Taking a swipe at Hariprasad for his comments, BJP MLA TS Srivatsa said it appears that such a conspiracy is being planned somewhere and the Congress leader should be taken into custody. "Harisprasad may be hatching a conspiracy and he should be arrested," he said.

Srivatsa also alleged that Hariprasad is instilling fear in the minds of Ram bhaktas to prevent them from visiting Ayodhya.

It also looks like Hariprasad has made such a comment to embarrass Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Srivatsa said.

Earlier this week, Hubballi police arrested Poojari for his alleged involvement in the riots in Hubballi after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.