The delegation, led by the Leaders of Opposition in both the Legislative Assembly and Council, R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, respectively, also presented a memorandum to the Governor demanding a CBI investigation into the Ballari clashes, alongside concerns regarding the government’s actions related to the demolition of illegally constructed houses in Kogilu.
Additionally, a petition has been filed regarding the erosion of law and order and the misuse of police resources in the state, citing the Hubballi incident, where police are accused of disrobing a woman BJP worker.
“We met the Governor and conveyed that the law and order situation in the state has declined sharply, turning it into a goonda state. With no accountability, Karnataka has descended into jungle raj. As the state’s first citizen, we have implored the Governor to prevent Karnataka from becoming a goonda state,” Ashoka stated.
After the meeting with the Governor, he spoke to reporters, confirming that the BJP has submitted a petition asking him not to approve the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill.
Claiming that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Speaker U T Khader ensured the passage of the Hate Speech Bill in the Assembly without proper discussion, the opposition leader criticized the bill as a continuation of the ruling Congress’s “cunning” tactics, likening it to the emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
“We informed the Governor that if assent is granted to the bill, it would infringe upon the media’s and opposition parties’ rights to critique the government, transforming the state into a police state. Democracy cannot endure such measures. Therefore, we have urged the Governor not to give his assent, as it jeopardizes the state’s well-being and free speech,” he added.
The Lok Bhavan (the Governor’s House) stated on Friday that the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, passed in the recent legislative session, is “under consideration.”
The proposed bill stipulates a jail term of one year, extendable up to seven years, along with a fine of Rs 50,000 for hate crimes. For repeat offenders, the maximum sentence could extend to seven years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Highlighting the Ballari clashes, Ashoka informed the Governor and requested a CBI investigation to uncover the facts, criticizing the police for becoming mere puppets of the government.
“This attack involved bullets targeted at BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy, during which a Congress worker was reportedly killed by his own party members. The investigation is losing momentum, and those accountable have yet to be arrested, raising concerns that the case may be closed without resolution,” he mentioned.
A CBI inquiry is necessary to provide the needed clarity, as justice cannot be expected from police who have become “puppets” for the ruling party, he claimed, announcing that the BJP will organize a large protest in Ballari on January 17.
Tensions erupted in parts of Ballari on the night of January 1 following clashes between supporters of Ballari City Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavati BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy over a banner installation. The situation escalated into violence, resulting in one death of a Congress worker due to alleged stone-pelting and firing.
The conflict reportedly began when Bharath Reddy’s supporters put up a poster for the Valmiki statue unveiling in front of Janardhan Reddy’s home in Ballari.
Additionally, Ashoka noted that they have alerted the Governor about the rapid pace with which the government is moving to rehabilitate individuals whose illegally constructed homes were demolished at Kogilu, under the government’s housing scheme.
He pointed out that 36 lakh individuals who have already paid for houses in various housing schemes are still waiting for their allocations, stating, “While these 36 lakh people are sidelined, homes are being provided to those whose illegal constructions in Kogilu were demolished, all under pressure from Kerala Congress leaders for minority appeasement.”
The demolition at Kogilu’s Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony on December 20 was executed by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to clear encroachments for a proposed solid waste processing facility. Officials claimed the houses were built without authorization, with most occupants being migrants from other states.
BJP leaders have accused the state government of practicing “Muslim appeasement politics,” as many of the demolished illegal homes were reportedly owned by Muslims. They have further questioned the promptness with which the government has moved to rehabilitate individuals involved in illegal encroachments.
