Sirsi : Muslim organisations have demanded that Anantkumar Hegde, the BJP MP from Uttara Kannada, should apologise for his remarks against Islam.

Hegde had said here recently that terrorism could not be curbed till Islam existed. He told reporters that everyone knew that Bhatkal in the district and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh were havens for terrorist activities. The MP demanded that strict action be taken against such activities.

Hegde said the media should also co-operate with the government in this regard. The MP said the media was giving an impression that it was anti-national, by giving publicity to ‘anti-nationals’. He demanded action against the media also.

The Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem has registered a complaint against Hegde at the Bhatkal Town police station against the MP’s statement.

Members of the Tanzeem called on Superintendent of Police Vamshi Krishna and demanded that action be taken against the MP. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind of Bhatkal has demanded that Hegde apologise to Muslims.

“Islam is a religion of peace. Nobody can root it out. The MP should withdraw his remarks,” the organisation said in a statement.

The Sunni Student Muslim Federation also submitted an appeal to the SP, demanding that Hegde be arrested and action taken against him.