Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging a complete collapse of law and order in the state. "People fear the system more than criminals," Ashoka said, citing figures he claimed exposed systemic rot within the state's police department.

Key Allegations on Police Misconduct

Ashoka alleged that 713 police officers had been suspended over the last two years in Karnataka — a figure he described as reflecting not isolated incidents but a "systemic collapse" within the department. He further claimed that criminal cases had been registered against 95 police personnel, with names of officers allegedly surfacing in cases related to robbery, theft, and murder.

"If those responsible for enforcing the law begin violating it without fear, how can justice survive in the state?" Ashoka asked. He additionally claimed that more than 400 police officials had been found guilty in departmental inquiries, and questioned what stringent action the government had taken against them.

Bengaluru's Brand at Risk, BJP Warns

Expressing particular concern over Bengaluru — widely regarded as India's technology capital — Ashoka alleged that a majority of the suspended officers were from the city. He warned that a continued deterioration of law and order could damage Bengaluru's brand value and reputation as a global technology and business hub. He also alleged that individuals collaborating with rowdy-sheeters, running fake document networks, and harassing innocent people were operating without fear of the law.

Calling the situation not merely a failure of the police department but the "complete bankruptcy" of the Home Department, Ashoka questioned who would guarantee the protection of people's lives, property, and dignity under the Congress government's guarantee schemes. He also asked whether the government was controlling criminals or extending political protection to them.

Education System Under Fire

Ashoka broadened his attack to include the state's public education system, alleging that 38,163 teacher posts were currently vacant in government schools across Karnataka — amounting to nearly 22 per cent of all teaching positions. "If one out of every five teaching posts is vacant, how are schools expected to function?" he asked.

He accused the Congress government of failing to fulfil its promise of recruiting 15,000 teachers, and alleged it had remained silent on the issue after making public commitments. "Displaying concern for education in advertisements while leaving schools without teachers in reality cannot be called social justice," Ashoka said.

The BJP leader alleged the government had funds for guarantee implementation committees, luxury events, and minority welfare programmes, but claimed no money was available for teacher recruitment. "This is not a financial problem, it is a lack of willpower," he said.

Demands and Political Warning

Ashoka urged the Karnataka government to immediately launch a full-scale teacher recruitment process and cleanse the police department to restore public trust. He warned that growing public anger over both law and order and education failures could eventually unseat the Congress government from power. The Karnataka government is yet to formally respond to the allegations.