Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Sunday said there was audio and video evidence for the alleged derogatory remarks made by BJP MLC C T Ravi against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Responding to demands of a judicial probe by Ravi over the issue, Siddaramaiah told reporters at Kalaburagi that what the BJP leader did amounted to a ‘criminal offence’. “Why is he seeking a judicial inquiry? See, in the video (and) audio clippings (his use) of obscene words are clear. MLCs who heard him say that he made use of those words,” the CM said.
The alleged use of derogatory words took place at the Legislative Council Thursday, on the last day of the Winter session at Belagavi. Ravi was arrested by the police following a complaint by Hebbalkar and was subsequently released on bail. On Saturday, the BJP leader had sought a judicial probe into the incident claiming that there was a threat to his life.
The incident had resulted in a major fracas at the Council. On Thursday, after the Council was adjourned following protests over the remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on B R Ambedkar, Hebbalkar and Ravi were involved in a heated exchange on the floor of the House. During this, the MLC reportedly used a derogatory word against the minister. Soon after, Ravi was accosted by Hebbalkar’s staff who objected to the word. Videos of the exchange between the two were also shared on social media platforms.
Following his release on bail, Ravi was accorded a grand welcome at the state BJP office while Hebbalkar’s supporters staged a protest in Belagavi demanding his suspension from the state legislature.
The State Women’s Commission also wrote to Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of the Legislative Council, demanding a high-level probe into the alleged use of derogatory words by the BJP leader.
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