Pralhad Joshi: Taking the Law into Your Own Hands Undermines Your Dignity, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, Dec 25 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, stated on Wednesday that acting outside the law is not appropriate for someone of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's stature.

"This behavior does not align with your dignity," he remarked.

His comments came during a media briefing on Thursday, in response to the egg attack on BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu in Bengaluru, which was allegedly carried out by Congress workers, as well as the police's heavy-handed approach towards BJP MLC C.T. Ravi in a case involving derogatory remarks.

Joshi addressed the allegations against MLA Munirathna, asserting that justice is being served and that the court has granted him bail.

He questioned whether the court had placed restrictions on MLA Munirathna's visits to his Assembly constituency.

During an event honoring former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his constituency, Munirathna was subjected to egg throwing.

In light of this reprehensible incident and the ongoing case related to BJP MLC C.T. Ravi, Union Minister Joshi stressed that such matters should be left to the judicial system.

He remarked, "Such actions echo the conduct of figures like former PM Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency and are absolutely unacceptable."

"Taking the law into your own hands, engaging in attacks, or throwing eggs is entirely condemnable," he stated.

He also voiced concerns about the delay in filing an FIR regarding BJP MLC Ravi's complaint.

"Even now, an FIR has not been lodged based on C.T. Ravi's complaint; authorities claim it was initiated suo motu," he mentioned.

When inquired why no formal complaint was recorded, officials allegedly stated that the case had been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), according to the Union Minister.

Joshi insisted that an FIR should be filed prior to transferring the case.

He questioned the rationale behind the suspension of Khanapur Circle Inspector Manjunath Nayak, asking why the Belagavi Police Commissioner or the Police Superintendent present at the time had failed to take action.

Union Minister Joshi accused the Congress party of fostering a climate of fear and criticized the absence of direct communication from the Police Commissioner in these circumstances.

"This type of conduct is intolerable in a democracy. In a democratic framework, actions must adhere to the law and the Constitution," he emphasized.

Additionally, Union Minister Joshi condemned the Congress party for consistently displaying a lack of respect for the Constitution and B.R. Ambedkar, tracing this disregard back to the era of Nehru and continuing to the present day.

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra visited MLA Munirathna Naidu at K.C. General Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention, to check on his well-being.

Following the visit, Vijayendra stated, "This is not the first occurrence of our party MLAs facing pressure through the misuse of the police department. Previously, BJP MLA Harish Poonja was implicated in a false case, and attempts were made to arrest him."

Concerning the situation involving BJP MLC C.T. Ravi, he expressed doubts about the treatment Ravi received outside the Legislative Council at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.

"Such actions can only take place with the implicit consent of the government. Such incidents cannot happen without ministerial interference," he asserted.

Commenting on the egg attack against BJP MLA Munirathna, he noted, "Today's incident is not trivial. While it is true that Munirathna is facing legal challenges and the court is addressing them, he is being pressured to resign as an MLA. This is part of a broader scheme to instigate a re-election and position their candidate for victory."

Vijayendra expressed worries about the safety of BJP workers and their families, saying, "Our party workers are greatly distressed. BJP leaders and MLAs are being targeted. Criminals are threatening women and invading the homes of our party workers in Munirathna's constituency. Such intimidation tactics will not succeed. Let the investigation into MLA Munirathna proceed, but targeting him under this pretext is intolerable."

He further alleged that the Congress government had retracted Munirathna's security detail, questioning, "Is he not an MLA? The removal of his security personnel raises suspicions. It appears to be a calculated maneuver so that if he faces an attack in the future, there will be no evidence or protection."

Vijayendra demanded a thorough investigation and denounced the actions against Munirathna as politically motivated and unjust.

An egg was hurled at BJP MLA Munirathna in Bengaluru on Wednesday, leading him to blame Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar for the occurrence.

"This is akin to an acid attack on me. The assailants filled the egg with acid and targeted me," MLA Munirathna claimed.