Karnataka cops book MLC Ravikumar for making derogatory remarks against chief secretary, BJP leader denies charges
Bharatiya Janata Party MLC N. Ravikumar has courted fresh controversy for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
The BJP leader, who had earlier drawn flak for questioning the nationality of Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum (suggesting she could be from Pakistan), has now landed himself in a fresh legal entanglement.
The Vidhana Soudha police in Bengaluru, based on a complaint by social worker Nagarathna, filed an FIR on Thursday against Ravikumar under Sections 351 (3), 75 (3), and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS Act) that deal with criminal intimidation, sexual harassment and offense of insulting the modesty of a woman.
It is alleged that Ravikumar made the controversial statement on July 1, during a protest at Vidhana Soudha, while expressing displeasure over chief secretary not turning up at the venue (near Gandhi Statue) to receive their memorandum.
“The chief secretary does her state government duties at night and all through the day works for the chief minister,” Ravikumar had mocked.
The IAS Officers' Association, Karnataka, submitted a letter of condemnation to the chief minister and demanded a public apology, legal action, and a formal resolution of censure in the Legislative Council.
“The Chief Secretary holds the highest civil office in Karnataka and is a widely respected officer known for her integrity, commitment, and distinguished public service. The remarks made in public are not just vulgar and defamatory, but they also directly undermine the dignity of her office and the larger civil service. Such remarks not only denigrate public institutions but also erode the trust they hold,” the association said.
A Congress delegation led by Saleem Ahmed, chief whip in the Legislative Council, met the Chairman of the Upper House, urging the suspension of Ravikumar.
Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar lashed out at Ravi Kumar and demanded a public apology while questioning the silence of the BJP’s central leaders.
In a statement issued to the media, Ravi Kumar denied making any derogatory remarks against the chief secretary and said the reports (in the media) were "absolutely baseless, misleading, mischievous and slanderous."
"I am appalled that a remark against the chief secretary purportedly made by me is making rounds in some sections of print media and social media. Let me assert with all the forces at my command - that I have not made any derogatory remarks against the chief secretary," said Ravikumar, adding that he was in Hyderabad for the last three days on official work and was shocked to learn that a statement attributed to him was making rounds.
"I am supposed to have made the derogatory statement against the chief secretary on the day we had a protest demonstration in front of the Gandhi statue near Vidhana Soudha. I neither delivered the speech nor spoke to the media. So, the question of making derogatory remarks against the chief secretary does not arise at all," said Ravi Kumar and challenged the Congress leaders to produce evidence against him.
Apparently, the MLC was heard making the remark during a casual chat with LOP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and other BJP leaders, which was recorded by a TV channel.
India