Dalit Congress Worker Files Complaint Against Aide of Karnataka CM, Raises Concerns Over Women's Safety
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Synopsis
Nandini Nagaraj, a Congress Dalit worker, has filed a police complaint against H.M. Revanna, a close aide of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. She alleges assault and threats to her life, raising critical questions about women's safety in the state amid ongoing political scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- Nandini Nagaraj files complaint against Revanna.
- Allegations include assault and threats to life.
- Concerns raised over women's safety in Karnataka.
- Video evidence submitted to police.
- Revanna denies allegations, claims Nandini is creating disturbances.
Bengaluru, March 18 (NationPress) Nandini Nagaraj, a Congress Dalit female worker, has filed a police complaint against H.M. Revanna, a close aide to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging assault and threats to her life on Tuesday. She expressed serious concerns about the security of women in the state.
“If a woman cannot feel safe at the Kumara Krupa Guest House, situated next to the Chief Minister’s residence, how can we trust that there is safety for her even in Vidhana Soudha? How will you guarantee the protection of women?” Nandini questioned.
Revanna serves as the President of the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee. Nandini submitted her complaint at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru.
On Tuesday, Nandini lodged the complaint at the High Grounds police station and provided video evidence to the authorities. The footage shows Revanna pushing her away.
Nandini remarked, “H.M. Revanna leads the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee. The Congress party claims that these guarantee schemes are designed for women, yet the individual at the helm of this committee resorts to assault and abuse against women.”
“You can follow up with him. He exhibits arrogance and behaves inappropriately towards women. He is unfit for political office. Revanna shows disrespect towards women. As a Dalit woman, I have been victimized by him,” she alleged.
“As the State Finance Head in the AICC, if I can be assaulted in this manner, what does it mean for the average woman?” Nandini questioned.
“He assaulted me after I confronted him regarding a derogatory term he had previously used against me. It’s only natural to question such behavior. I inquired how he could use such language towards me. I have a phone recording of this. The incident occurred last November. Community leaders had advised me to remain silent since Revanna is from the same Congress party. However, during my encounter with him at the Kumara Krupa Guest House, he assaulted and verbally abused me, referencing my caste. He even attempted to grab my neck,” Nandini alleged.
“Senior Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa was present at the time. While Ugrappa makes grand speeches about women’s issues, he did not come to my aid. None of the senior leaders present offered assistance. I was the only woman there,” she recounted.
“I managed to escape, went to the hospital, and subsequently filed a police complaint. The police made me wait for hours before they would register the complaint, holding multiple meetings. Instead of filing an FIR, they only recorded a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR). My finger is fractured, and I have been advised six weeks of orthopaedic treatment,” Nandini shared.
In the recorded footage, Nandini can be heard informing Revanna that she would report the incident to Rahul Gandhi and share the video with him. Revanna is seen insisting that she leave the premises.
This incident is poised to spark controversy during the ongoing Assembly session as it involves Revanna, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In response to the allegations, former Minister Revanna asserted that Nandini Nagaraj often invokes Rahul Gandhi’s name to create disturbances. He claimed that she had threatened an officer he knows and had even received Rs one lakh from him through PhonePe. “I asked her to cease such behavior,” he stated.
“She is unable to accept this and is now falsely accusing me of misbehavior with a female worker and using inappropriate language. She even claims to fear for her life because of me. What would I gain by harming her? In my 40 years in politics, I have never engaged in such actions,” Revanna firmly stated.
He acknowledged that he did push her while she was recording the video. “If I have done anything wrong, let the party take action against me. She is misusing Rahul Gandhi’s name and has been involved in financial dealings related to transfers. I will be filing a complaint with the AICC regarding this matter. I am deeply saddened by this development,” he added.
The police are now investigating the case.
