Bengaluru : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday lashed out at BJP leader CT Ravi over his alleged derogatory remarks about Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and dismissed Ravi's claims that the police are attempting to murder him.
Referring to CT Ravi's alleged remarks, Shivakumar said, "There was a discussion over disrespect to Babasaheb Ambedkar. There was a protest over it as he called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict. There is proof that he has used abuse for the lady MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar, you have all the videos and documents. Why did he call Rahul Gandhi a drug addict? Is it Chikkamagaluru's culture, BJP culture, and Indian culture? Show everything, I'll give you proof."
In response to CT Ravi's allegations that the police are trying to murder him, Shivakumar dismissed the claims. He said, "No one is murdering anyone. I saw one video clip, when the Police allowed them to meet, they had a BJP meet. Is the Police station the place for holding such a meeting? The Police behaved very well. We are not interfering in anything; the Police allowed all of them inside.
I'm asking the Police how they allowed such a meeting. Family members or 1-2 people can meet, but why did they have a meeting inside? Who is murdering them? It's natural that supporters of Lakshmi Hebbalkar protested; it happened out of emotions because such filthy words were used against their leader."
Meanwhile, State BJP chief BY Vijayendra criticized the way the situation is being handled, alleging that the police were pressured by the state government. "The Speaker has already given the ruling on what CT Ravi said on the Floor of the House.
We have to wait for the FSL report also. At the same time, the attitude of the Police Department, probably the entire department, has succumbed to the pressure from the Minister and the State Government. Yesterday, there was a severe injury on the head of CT Ravi.
Even then he was not taken to the hospital. All night he was not offered even a drop of water... Is CT Ravi a terrorist? He is a respected MLC, former minister," the BJP leader said.
Vijayendra also stated that a statewide protest has been called over the issue. He said, "The way the state government has handled this entire issue is unpardonable. They have treated CT Ravi as a terrorist. They will probably produce him before the magistrate; all our advocates and experts are there. We will discuss and take further action... We have called for a protest across the state, in all the district HQs. We have taken this issue seriously."
Earlier in the day, BJP leader CT Ravi filed a counter-complaint at the Khanapura police station in Belagavi, alleging an attempt to kill him by Congress leaders Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Chamaraja Hattiholi, DK Shivakumar, Saddam, and others. The alleged incident occurred at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi. Ravi claimed that the police brought him to the Khanapura police station without providing a reason.
"Police brought me to Khanapura police station around 8 pm. They didn't tell me in which case they brought me. They're not registering my complaint; they're not even filing a zero FIR. If something happens to me, the Congress government must take responsibility," the BJP leader alleged.
Ravi further accused Congress leaders and the police of conspiring against him. "By registering a false case, they're conspiring to murder me. I have already filed a complaint. It's been three hours since I was brought to the police station, and I haven't been told why. If something happens to me, the police, DK Shivakumar, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, and their team will be responsible," he said.
Ravi also expressed concern over his treatment, claiming it was similar to actions taken during the Emergency period. "They're treating me like a criminal, and it's creating doubt in me. I have worked as a minister and am a people's representative. They're acting the way they did during the 'Emergency,'" the BJP leader added.