Panchamasali Quota Protest: Karnataka Government Acts Like a Dictator, Claims Kumaraswamy
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New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed his anger over the lathi charge against Swami Basava Mrutyunjaya Mahaswami and leaders of the Panchamasali community near Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi during their protest on Tuesday.
The protest by the Panchamasali Lingayats escalated into violence when a group began throwing stones at police and attempted to storm the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.
The police halted thousands of demonstrators on their route to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, cautioning them that they would not be permitted to proceed.
In response, the protesters retaliated by throwing stones and footwear at law enforcement, prompting the police to conduct a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
Following the incident, Kumaraswamy stated in a media interview, "It is profoundly regrettable that the Congress government in Karnataka has opted to behave like Adolf Hitler to stifle the movement of the Panchamasali community."
He went on to add, "The shameful treatment of respected figures like Swami Basava Mrutyunjaya Mahaswamiji, the Jagadguru of the Panchamasali community, has caused me deep distress. This government reflects a 'Stone Age mindset', and I strongly denounce it."
Kumaraswamy continued, "The esteemed seer and community representatives have consistently reached out to the government regarding their requests, yet the government remains unresponsive and indifferent. The harsh police crackdown on peaceful protesters, including the seer, community leaders, and the populace, is intolerable and deserves condemnation."
He emphasized, "If the government itself attempts to disrupt tranquility, it must accept full accountability. The government should promptly apologize to the revered seer and the community, and take immediate action to meet their demands."
Labeling CM Siddaramaiah a 'dictator', the Union Minister criticized his governance, describing it as a 'Tughlaq government' for its oppressive measures.
Reports indicate that ten individuals sustained injuries during the clash. However, no official confirmation has been provided regarding this matter.
One protester allegedly fell ill due to the chaos.
Several police officers also reportedly suffered injuries during the incident, according to sources.
