Bengaluru, December 20: Amid the ongoing protests over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Karnataka, a state minister has sparked a controversy with "intimidating" remarks against the minority community. CT Ravi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Minister for Culture and Tourism, said the protesters -- primarily from the Muslim community -- await a "Godhra-like" fate if they do not exercise restraint. Karnataka: Two Anti-CAA Protesters Killed in Mangaluru in Alleged 'Police Firing', Curfew Imposed, Internet Suspended.

Ravi's remarks came a day after Karnataka witnessed protests in all parts of the state against the CAA-NRC project of the Narendra Modi government. The demonstrations turned violent in some parts of the state, particularly the communally-sensitive district of Mangaluru. Two protesters were killed in police firing in the region during a demonstration on Wednesday.

"If you've forgotten about what happens when the majority loses patience, just look back at what happened after Godhra. The majority here is capable of repeating it. Don't test our patience," the Minister was quoted as saying.

Watch CT Ravi Warning Anti-CAA Protesters of Godhra-Like Situation

The Godhra incident, as referred to by Ravi in his remarks above, had triggered the riots in Gujarat which led to the death of over 2,000 civilians. On February 27, 2002, coaches of the Sabarmati Express, in which several karsevaks were present, were "torched" by miscreants. In retaliations, frenzied mobs attacked several Muslim residential colonies and establishments in Godhra, Ahmedabad, Surat and other parts of Gujarat.

Ravi's remarks drew sharp criticism from Gandhinagar legislator Dinesh Gundu Rao, who called it "most intimidating provocative threat". The legislator demanded the government to strip Ravi of his ministerial post, and also appealed the police to initiate action for his "communal" remarks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2019 06:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).