A Karnataka minister has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring a law to shoot down anti-nationals who raise pro-Pakistan slogans.

B.C. Patil, recently inducted as forest minister and one of the 17 turncoats who helped the BJP bring down the previous coalition government, told reporters in Chitradurga on Sunday that such a law had become necessary in the country.

“Since anyone can say anything against India while in India, I appeal to the Prime Minister that such people need to be brought down… such people should be considered as anti-nationals and shot on sight,” said the former police officer who had also acted in a few Kannada films.

“A law should be brought in India to shoot on sight all those who speak against India and praise Pakistan. That’s become necessary,” said the former Congress lawmaker.

Patil is among the 10 defectors rewarded with cabinet berths in keeping with the promise made by chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa and his party.

The comment was made amid the spate of sedition cases booked in the state.

“They eat the food of in India, drink India’s water, breathe India’s air. Why should they live in India if they want to say ‘Pakistan zindabad’?” Patil said in Kannada.

“Let them go to China and say a word against China. We get scared to say a word against China even while travelling in a bus or car. Such situations exist in other countries also,” said Patil.

As usual in such cases, the BJP did not react to Patil’s comment. The BJP spokesperson did not answer calls.