Dalit safety in Karnataka: BJP's Narayanaswamy demands CM, Home Minister resign
Synopsis
Former Union Minister Narayanaswamy has demanded the resignations of Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, alleging a string of unchecked atrocities against Dalits — including murder, caste-based denial of service, and unregistered FIRs — and separately flagging ₹35,000 crore in contractor dues as a governance flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Narayanaswamy (BJP, former Union Minister) demanded the resignations of CM D.K.
Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge on 2 October 2026 .
He alleged multiple Dalit atrocities — including murder, sexual assault, and caste-based discrimination — in districts including Kalaburagi , Raichur , Lingasugur , Sirwar , and Manvi .
A Madiga activist's alleged murder drew particular attention; only one arrest has been made, according to Narayanaswamy.
He alleged that the murder of Mahadevamma in Nanjangud has not yet resulted in an FIR being registered.
Contractors allegedly threatened to expose an alleged 'percentage' demanded by 70 per cent of legislators unless ₹35,000 crore in dues is cleared.
The Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman was separately criticised for inaction.
Former Union Minister A. Narayanaswamy on Friday, 2 October alleged that Dalits were not receiving adequate protection in Karnataka, and demanded that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge resign if the government could not ensure community safety. Narayanaswamy made the allegations at a press conference held at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.
Key Allegations Against the State Government
Narayanaswamy alleged that multiple incidents of murder, sexual assault, and other atrocities against Dalits had taken place across Karnataka while the state government remained silent. He specifically cited a case where a Madiga activist who had spoken out against alleged maladministration and corruption in a district was murdered, with his body left on the road. 'Only an FIR has been registered, and one person has been arrested. No further arrests have been made,' he said.
He referenced incidents reportedly occurring in Kalaburagi, Raichur, Lingasugur, Sirwar, and Manvi, among other locations, several of which he claimed took place in August. 'The state government is silent. The Home Minister has not paid attention to these incidents. The DGP is not even convening meetings,' he alleged.
Specific Cases Cited
Among the cases flagged, Narayanaswamy alleged that a person was denied service at a hotel in Lingasugur — an act that, if proven, would constitute caste-based discrimination under the Protection of Civil Rights Act. In T. Narasipur, he claimed that a sub-inspector had registered a suo motu case against YouTuber Manjunath. He also questioned why an FIR had not been registered in the alleged murder of a woman named Mahadevamma in Nanjangud.
He called on Home Minister Kharge to convene a review meeting to assess the number of atrocities reported against Scheduled Caste members in Karnataka between 2023 and 2026. He further criticised the Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Castes, alleging that its chairman, Murthy, had failed to take adequate action or instil confidence in the community.
Governance and Financial Concerns
Narayanaswamy also raised broader governance concerns, alleging that contractors were threatening to publicly disclose information about an alleged 'percentage' demanded by approximately 70 per cent of legislators unless pending dues of ₹35,000 crore were cleared. He urged the Karnataka High Court to take suo motu cognisance of these allegations and direct that the information be made public.
On the financial front, he alleged that the state government was facing a resource crunch, with several welfare schemes pending. He claimed that schools reporting 98 per cent results were not being provided basic items such as soap and toothpaste, teachers were going unapppointed, and principals were not receiving salaries. 'Several corporations are struggling due to a lack of funds,' he said. He also alleged that Chief Minister Shivakumar, despite having previously served as Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister, lacked the necessary administrative experience to manage the state.
BJP Presence and Political Context
The press conference was attended by BJP spokesperson H. Venkatesh Dodderi and SC Morcha state vice-president Hoodi Manjunath. The allegations come as the BJP ramps up pressure on the Congress-led Karnataka government, which has been under scrutiny over law and order. This is not the first time opposition leaders have raised Dalit safety concerns in the state; similar allegations have been levelled periodically since the Congress returned to power in 2023. The state government is yet to formally respond to the charges made at Friday's press conference.
Point of View
The Madiga activist murder, the Nanjangud case — will receive independent judicial scrutiny or remain political talking points. The ₹35,000 crore contractor-dues allegation, largely unreported in this context, is potentially the more explosive charge and deserves its own follow-up. If the Karnataka High Court were to act suo motu, the political fallout for the Shivakumar government could extend well beyond the Dalit safety debate.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Narayanaswamy allege about Dalit safety in Karnataka?
Former Union Minister A. Narayanaswamy alleged on 2 October 2026 that multiple incidents of murder, sexual assault, and caste-based discrimination against Dalits had occurred across Karnataka, with the state government and Home Minister remaining silent. He cited specific cases in Kalaburagi, Raichur, Lingasugur, Sirwar, and Nanjangud, among other places.
Why did Narayanaswamy demand the resignation of CM Shivakumar and Home Minister Kharge?
Narayanaswamy demanded their resignations on the grounds that the Congress-led Karnataka government had failed to protect Dalits and had not taken adequate action against perpetrators of atrocities. He alleged the Home Minister was not paying attention to incidents and that the DGP had not convened meetings on the issue.
What is the Mahadevamma case mentioned at the BJP press conference?
Narayanaswamy alleged that a woman named Mahadevamma was murdered in Nanjangud and questioned why an FIR had not been registered in the case. No official state government response to this specific allegation has been reported.
What is the ₹35,000 crore contractor dues allegation?
Narayanaswamy alleged that contractors were threatening to publicly disclose information about an alleged 'percentage' demanded by approximately 70 per cent of Karnataka legislators unless their pending dues of ₹35,000 crore were cleared. He urged the Karnataka High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
Has the Karnataka government responded to these allegations?
As of the time of reporting, the Karnataka state government had not formally responded to the allegations made at the BJP press conference on 2 October 2026. The charges were made by an opposition BJP leader and are yet to be independently verified.
