Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Urges CM Basavaraj S Bommai To Prevent "Communal Exclusion" In Karnataka

Biocon executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw became the first corporate leader to address the calls for boycotts of Muslim traders in Karnataka.

Addressing CM Basavaraj Bommai, Mazumdar-Shaw tweeted, "Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must not allow such communal exclusion- If ITBT became communal it would destroy our global leadership."

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya among other accused Mazumdar-Shaw of "political bias" but the Biocon head responded saying that "vested interests are hijacking the issue to political parties."

Following Mazumdar-Shaw's statements, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai called for restraint saying, "Karnataka is known for peace and progress. It is possible to resolve the social issues through peaceful talks. So everyone should behave with restraint and cooperate to maintain peace and order."

Mazumdar-Shaw's comments were based on reports about Hindutva groups in Karnataka blacklisting Muslim vendors in temple towns and temple festivals and forcing them to shut their businesses.