Bengaluru, Jan 8 (NationPress) In a decisive reaction to the disturbing events surrounding the alleged assault and humiliation of a BJP woman worker in Hubballi, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi admonished Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, asserting that what he referred to as "dadagiri" or hooliganism would not be tolerated in the state.

During a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru, Union Minister Joshi expressed his outrage over the incident. "What a disgraceful situation this is," he remarked.

Alluding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's comments regarding the incident, Joshi criticized him for failing to simply promise an investigation. “Isn’t he ashamed? He could have stated that the matter would be addressed and an inquiry initiated. We did not call for the resignation of the local MLA or make any other demands,” he stated, highlighting the Chief Minister’s lack of decency in even announcing a probe.

Joshi claimed that the Congress-led government had displayed bias in handling the case, similar to previous incidents like the Ballari violence. “They ought to first determine who is responsible. In this instance, were the police merely spectators while she was being stripped?” he questioned, targeting police actions.

He further accused the police of selective enforcement. “Right after a complaint was filed, the BJP woman worker was manhandled by the police. Yet, a complaint against a Congress corporator from BJP workers was ignored. Now, they suggest that the BJP woman worker recorded the incident herself. Was she merely taking a selfie?” Joshi queried.

Challenging the police's assertion that the woman worker had bitten officers, Joshi demanded corroborating proof. “Where is the medical certification to substantiate a human bite? This kind of dadagiri will not prevail. I want to make this clear to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the local police officials,” he stated.

Stressing that no government remains in power indefinitely, Joshi indicated that political shifts were imminent across the nation. “The BJP is consistently reclaiming power in states, not the Congress. In 2028, we will regain power in Karnataka and will pursue accountability against those who acted unlawfully and unilaterally,” he asserted.

Joshi also expressed concern regarding the treatment of the woman worker at the police station. “Our woman party member was summoned to the police station at 3 a.m., with a Congress corporator present. What was she doing there?” he questioned, denouncing the police action as irresponsible. He warned that the BJP would initiate protests if a fair investigation was not conducted.

He further questioned the rationale behind multiple cases being filed against the woman worker. “They assert that the victim has a history of several cases. If those cases are under review, why have four new cases emerged against her? Why was our complaint overlooked?” he asked.

Claiming that the Congress party was apprehensive of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Joshi alleged that the party feared the repercussions of this exercise on its appeasement politics and its chances of maintaining power.

Providing context to the incident, Joshi explained that the SIR is a formal procedure conducted by the Election Commission. “A Booth Level Officer (BLO) had gone for mapping in a Congress corporator's area. BLOs often lack familiarity with addresses. There’s a requirement to inform BLA-2 of state political parties and involve them. Accordingly, a BJP representative was present, while the Congress BLA-2 was absent,” he elaborated.

Joshi contended that the absence of the Congress BLA-2 should not be attributed to BJP workers. “The Congress corporator and her associates assaulted BJP workers, yet no complaint was recorded against them. The BLA-2 is the victim's sibling, and both were assaulted. Subsequently, the Congress corporator filed a false complaint, which the police accepted,” he alleged.

It is important to note that an alleged assault and humiliation of a BJP woman worker by police occurred in Hubballi city in Karnataka, reportedly linked to a dispute arising from a voter revision exercise. A video of the incident emerged on Wednesday, causing shock and widespread concern.

The video reportedly depicts male police personnel attacking the woman and using inappropriate language.

The incident transpired within the jurisdiction of the Keshvapur police station in Hubballi. According to reports, BJP worker Sujatha Handi, also known as Vijayalaxmi Handi, was allegedly assaulted following a complaint lodged against her by Hubballi-Dharwad Congress corporator Suvarna Kallakuntla.

It is alleged that Sujatha Handi was targeted after participating in voter mapping as part of the voter list revision process. Reportedly incensed by this, the Congress corporator lodged a complaint against her at the Keshvapur police station.

Separately, concerning the National Herald case, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of allocating more funds to the National Herald than to prominent national newspapers, which he described as indicative of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's “intellectual bankruptcy.”

Joshi disclosed that Rs 1.9 crore was allocated to the National Herald in 2023–24, with around Rs 1 crore sanctioned for 2024–25. He noted that the National Herald issue is embroiled in controversy and is currently pending before the courts.

He asserted that the trustees, NGOs, and owners linked to the newspaper include individuals who are currently out on bail, and claimed that the newspaper's circulation has virtually diminished to zero. Despite this, he alleged that significant sums were disbursed to it, representing an attempt by the Karnataka government to appease the Gandhi family using public funds.