Tensions flared in Chikkamagaluru on Friday because the BJP and Congress staff clashed throughout a bandh known as by the BJP staff in protest in opposition to the arrest of Chikkamagaluru MLC CT Ravi, in accordance with folks conversant in the matter. The arrest stemmed from Ravi’s alleged use of derogatory language in opposition to minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar throughout a legislative council session in Belagavi.
BJP staff, main the bandh, urged shopkeepers and enterprise house owners to shut their institutions in protest, labelling the arrest as unjust. Concurrently, Congress staff took to the streets, persuading shopkeepers to stay open and asserting the legitimacy of the police’s actions. The confrontation between the 2 teams escalated on MG Highway, culminating in minor scuffles. Police intervened with a light lathi cost to disperse the group, restoring calm to the realm.
The bandh drew a combined response. Whereas retailers on main roads like MG Highway, IG Highway, Market Highway, Ratnagiri Highway, and Basavanahalli Highway remained shuttered, car motion throughout the town continued unaffected. Colleges, schools, and authorities workplaces operated as regular.
Chikkamagaluru superintendent of police Vikram Amathe mentioned: “Regardless of the bandh name, the response was restricted. The scenario throughout the district remained peaceable, and no untoward incidents have been reported.”
Police maintained a heavy safety presence to pre-empt violence, deploying personnel close to delicate places such because the Congress workplace, Ravi’s residence, Hanumanthappa Circle, and Azad Park Circle. West Vary DIG Amit Singh and SP Vikram Amathe carried out patrols to make sure order, he mentioned.
Earlier within the day, a number of BJP leaders making ready for protests have been taken into preventive custody. A verbal altercation ensued between BJP district president Devaraj Shetty and police officers outdoors Ravi’s residence when police tried to arrest the protesters.
In response to the bandh, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar criticised Ravi’s remarks and questioned the rationale for the protest. “Is it proper for CT Ravi to make use of such language a couple of feminine minister? Let his personal celebration members touch upon his behaviour,” he mentioned in Mandya.
Shivakumar dismissed the bandh’s significance, saying, “BJP known as for a bandh as a result of Ravi was arrested. What nice work has Ravi carried out to deserve this? Allow them to name for a bandh not simply in Chikkamagaluru however throughout India; nothing will change.”
Responding to Ravi’s declare that his life was beneath risk, the Congress chief mentioned, “I wasn’t even current to threaten anybody. I got here to the meeting on the chief minister’s request. If there are allegations, let an investigation occur. I’m not above the regulation.”
Talking on Ravi’s earlier remarks about Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, he mentioned: “I noticed Ravi name Rahul Gandhi a druggist on a nationwide channel. He ought to admit his mistake as a substitute of making an attempt to cowl it up.”
BJP president BY Vijayendra on Friday alleged that the state police have been working beneath strain from the Congress, and warned chief minister Siddaramaiah that energy shouldn’t be “everlasting” as he criticised the federal government over the arrest of CT Ravi.
Vijayendra accused the state authorities of permitting “Congress goons” to try an assault on Ravi on the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. On Thursday, a gaggle of individuals, claiming to be supporters of minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, approached Ravi angrily inside the meeting premises however have been stopped by safety workers. Some additionally staged a protest outdoors the constructing and have been later detained by the police.
“Police officers are working beneath Congress’s strain. Siddaramaiah, energy shouldn’t be everlasting. You, intoxicated by satisfaction and energy, assault us with conceitedness,” the state BJP state president mentioned.
