We will change the constitution : Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde

According to media reports, Hegde also mocked secularists by saying they are unaware of their parentage.

He urged the  people to identify with their religion or caste and said,  "I will bow to you, you are aware of your blood. But if you claim to be secular, there arises a doubt about who you are."

He said he respects the Constitution but the BJP has come to power at the centre to change it and  "it will be changed in the days to come".

The remark by the five-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka comes months ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, drawing  condemnation from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who said the BJP leader does not know parliamentary or political language.

Hegde said there is a new trend in which  people proclaim themselves as secular.

The Minister said he will be "happy" if someone claims with pride that he is a Muslim, or a Christian, or a Lingayat, or a Brahmin, or a Hindu.

"Those who, without knowing about their parental blood, call themselves secular, they don't have their own identity...They don't know about their parentage, but they are intellectuals," he said.

Reacting to the comment, CM Siddaramaiah said Hedge has not studied the Constitution. “Each and every individual in this country is an Indian, and every religion has equal right and opportunity. He does not have this basic knowledge."