HUBBALLI: Outraged over the State government’s decision to withdraw cases against the accused in the Hubballi violence case, BJP leaders have warned of an intense agitation if the decision is not reversed, and are also exploring legal options.
The State cabinet on Thursday decided to withdraw around 60 cases, including against those involved in the April 2022 violence in Hubballi. Hubball-Dharwad police had arrested around 150 people in the case, and also charged some of them under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. But a majority are out on bail. The Congress had made its intent clear right after assuming power, and finally withdrew the cases on Thursday.
BJP leaders have come down heavily on the government, terming it the height of the Congress party’s appeasement politics. Stating that the cabinet decision reflects the “tyrant attitude” of the Congress government, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was still investigating the case, it is not fair for the government to drop it. “The incidents were no less than acts of terrorism. While the police and judiciary were against dropping cases, the government has gone against their opinion,” he charged.
A violent group had laid siege to Old Hubballi police station, damaged police vehicles and nearby temples, and thrown stones at the police and public, injuring a couple of police personnel. Withdrawing cases could bring down the police department’s morale, Deputy Opposition Leader in the Assembly Arvind Bellad said.
Bellad also charged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of bragging that his government was committed to reining in wicked forces, but on the contrary, was “patronising anti-national and anti-social elements”, that too during the festival of Dasara. “Such action would encourage wicked forces as they are confident of getting protection,” he said.
Stating that it was a diversionary tactic by CM Siddaramaiah to save himself, MLA Mahesh Tenginkai said the sword of resignation is hanging over his head as his involvement in the MUDA scam is obvious.
Arrest vinay Kulkarni immediately: BJP
Demanding that the government should arrest former minister Vinay Kulkarni immediately, BJP leaders on Saturday said by not arresting him in an alleged rape and criminal intimidation case, the government was displaying “double standards”. Arvind Bellad said in similar cases involving BJP MLA Muniratna and JDS leader HD Revanna, the government had been quick to arrest them. But in the case of Vinay, though the complainant has explained her trauma to the media, the government was in no hurry to take action. The case had been handed over to CID, but it was only to hush up the matter, he said