BJP Chikkamagaluru President and Party Members Face Charges Following Protests Against C. T. Ravi's Arrest
Click to start listening
Chikkamagaluru, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Karnataka police have initiated an FIR against Devaraja Shetty, the District BJP President of Chikkamagaluru, along with more than 100 party workers who were demonstrating against the arrest of BJP MLC C. T. Ravi. This arrest stemmed from alleged derogatory remarks made against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, as reported by sources on Saturday.
C. T. Ravi was taken into custody on Thursday but was granted release the following night following an order from the Karnataka High Court.
The BJP has announced a statewide bandh in response to the actions of the Congress-led Karnataka government regarding Ravi's arrest and claimed he was subjected to torture.
During the early hours of Friday, Ravi staged a dharna on a public road, asserting that there was a conspiracy aimed at harming him while he was in police custody.
Members of the BJP, including the District President from Ravi's hometown of Chikkamagaluru, expressed their outrage and protested against the Congress government. As Congress workers attempted to enter Ravi's residence in Chikkamagaluru, BJP supporters reacted strongly with protests.
The police reported that 10 FIRs have been filed against BJP workers across various police stations in the Chikkamagaluru area.
The police indicated that the BJP supporters disrupted public peace, burned tyres in public areas, and forcibly closed shops and businesses. Additionally, they noted that the BJP's actions to block the highway have been treated with utmost seriousness.
A lathi-charge was necessary when confrontations escalated between BJP and Congress workers on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ravi expressed gratitude to BJP members who stood by him during these challenging times.
"To my fellow workers across the state who protested against the Tughlaq government, your unwavering support has strengthened my resolve. Your encouragement empowers me to fight harder against evil forces," stated Ravi.
"As members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, we are united and will never permit Karnataka to descend into a 'goonda republic'," he emphasized.
Chaos ensued on Thursday during a heated debate in the Legislative Council, where Ravi allegedly labeled Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as a "drug addict." This comment prompted Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar to condemn Ravi and label him a "murderer." In response, the BJP leader reportedly used an offensive term directed at the woman minister.
