Bangalore:
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah – under fire from the opposition BJP over the alleged rape of a woman in Bengaluru last week – hit back with an ill-advised attempt at distraction, asking whether cases of sexual violence had not been reported when the saffron party was in power.
He was responding to the BJP's backlash demanding its Home Minister G Parameshwara resign over this and other incidents of sexual assault and crimes against women, including the gruesome murder, also last week, of a six-year-old girl in the capital Hoysala. Nagar area.
“Were there no rapes during the BJP's tenure? Rape shouldn't happen, yes. Women need to be protected, yes, but in society there are always bad elements… we will take strong action against them,” he said.
The Congress leader was speaking at a 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim' rally – in honor of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar – in Belagavi. His comments were quickly condemned by the BJP.
Ex-Minister of Health Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan wrote on
The Chief Minister's comments came after the BJP's R Ashoka, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, stated that the law and order situation in the state had “collapsed to the ground”.
“People are living in fear. There is no environment where girls can move safely… How long will you continue to run such a bad government by clinging to your seat? Resign and free the people of the state from this misgovernment and this anarchy,” he raged against X.
The Bengaluru police have arrested two men – Ganesh and Shravan, both labourers, based on the woman's complaint. Police believe the woman initially agreed to perform sex acts in exchange for money, but the transaction fell through due to payment issues.
Nevertheless, a case of rape was registered. “The complaint relates to extortion and sexual assault. Two people have been arrested,” Bengaluru police chief B Dayananda told reporters.
With input from agencies