Protests Erupt in Chikkamagaluru Over Arrest of BJP MLC C. T. Ravi
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Chikkamagaluru, Dec 21 (NationPress) The Karnataka police have filed an FIR against Devaraja Shetty, the District President of the BJP in Chikkamagaluru, along with more than 100 party workers, who were demonstrating against the arrest of BJP MLC C. T. Ravi. This arrest stemmed from his alleged derogatory statements directed at Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, as reported on Saturday.
C. T. Ravi was detained on Thursday and subsequently released the following night following an order from the Karnataka High Court.
The BJP organized a statewide bandh in response to the actions of the Congress-led Karnataka government, which they claim led to Ravi's unjust arrest and mistreatment.
On Friday morning, Ravi staged a dharna on a public road, asserting that there was a conspiracy against him aiming to harm him while he was in police custody.
The BJP's local members from Chikkamagaluru were furious and protested against the Congress government. Tensions escalated when Congress workers attempted to enter Ravi's residence, prompting a strong reaction from the BJP supporters.
The police reported that a total of 10 FIRs were filed against BJP members at various police stations, including Chikkamagaluru city police station and Basavanahalli police station.
Authorities noted that BJP workers disrupted public order, engaged in burning tyres in the streets, and forcibly closed shops and businesses. Additionally, the police took the blockade of highways by BJP supporters seriously.
When confrontations escalated between BJP and Congress workers on Friday, police were compelled to use lathi-charge to restore order.
In the meantime, Ravi expressed gratitude towards BJP workers who supported him during these trying times.
"To my fellow party members across the state who protested against the Tughlaq government, your steadfast support has fortified my determination. Your encouragement has inspired me to combat malevolent forces even more vigorously," stated Ravi.
"As members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, we remain united and will never permit Karnataka to devolve into a 'goonda republic'," he emphasized.
On Thursday, chaos unfolded during a heated discussion in the Legislative Council when Ravi allegedly labeled Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, as a 'drug addict'.
Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar took offense to these comments, terming Ravi a 'murderer'. In retaliation, Ravi reportedly used an obscene term against the female minister.
