Will cut tongues of those who try to divide state:Eshwarappa

Shimoga, Dec 16: In a controversial comment,

Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa said

would not hesitate to sever the tongues of those who try to divide the state on the basis of religion and

.

"My party will cut the tongues of those who indulge in fissiparous activities, including the division of the state on the basis of religion and caste," he said at a function organised by the Maratha community.

Mr Eshwarappa said divisive politics is a bad precedent which disturbs the harmony of the state and stymies its growth. He hailed the contributions of Chhatrapati Shivaji and described him as a great national leader who helped unify society.

Shivaji was founder of the Maratha Empire, which lasted until 1818. He created an independent Maratha kingdom with Raigad as its capital and was crowned 'chhatrapati' of the Marathas in 1674.

PTI