Should BJP MLC Ravikumar Be Suspended for His Remarks Against Chief Secretary?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Complaints filed against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for derogatory comments.
- The Congress party demands suspension and inquiry.
- Repeated patterns of disrespect towards women noted.
- Calls for immediate action from authorities.
- Political implications of misogyny in discourse.
Bengaluru, July 3 (NationPress) The Karnataka Congress has filed a complaint against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for employing unparliamentary language and making offensive comments about Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) General Secretary V. Manohar presented this complaint to the Chairman of the Legislative Council, Basavaraj Horatti, on Thursday.
Manohar indicated that the Congress has also lodged complaints with the Vidhana Soudha police station and the State Women's Commission.
The Congress is calling for Chairman Horatti to immediately suspend N. Ravikumar and initiate an inquiry into his behavior.
Ravikumar made the contentious statement on Tuesday in front of the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and police officials.
Expressing his frustration over Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh's absence during a submission from a BJP delegation, Ravikumar allegedly remarked that she is consistently busy with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's tasks during the day and only attends to her government responsibilities at night.
Manohar accused BJP MLC Ravikumar of repeatedly making statements that demean and insult women.
On July 1, BJP leaders demonstrated in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue within the Vidhana Soudha premises.
Following the protest, Ravikumar allegedly used offensive language against Shalini Rajneesh, a high-ranking government official. Manohar emphasized that such remarks are not just an affront to a top government official but also a disgrace to women.
Considering the nature of the language used, Manohar demanded that the Police Department be instructed to file a case and commence an investigation against Ravikumar.
He also noted that Ravikumar had previously made similar remarks about the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi, for which he later issued an apology.
"Ravikumar consistently shows disrespect towards women," Manohar said, urging that necessary actions be taken to suspend him from his MLC position.
Manohar criticized the delay in action, pointing out that no suo motu case had been registered even 48 hours after the demeaning statement was made.
He recalled that Ravikumar previously sparked controversy by implying that Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum might have originated from Pakistan.
During a protest against Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT Priyank Kharge, Ravikumar had allegedly stated, "The Kalaburagi DC office has lost its independence. The DC madam is influenced by Congress leaders. I can't say if the DC is from Pakistan or an IAS officer here."