Case lodged against BJP MLC Ravi Kumar for alleged remarks against Kalaburagi DC
IAS association condemns
Kalaburagi: A case has been registered against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar at the Station Bazar police station in Kalaburagi for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum. The complaint was filed by Dattatreya Ilkalaki, a resident of Sharana Sirasagi.
Meanwhile, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officers’ Association of Karnataka has strongly condemned the remarks made by Ravikumar during a public event held on May 24. In a statement, the association described his comments as “baseless, unjustified, and entirely devoid of rationale,” calling them “deplorable and unacceptable.”
The association asserted that DC Fouzia Tarannum is a civil servant of “impeccable integrity” with an outstanding record of public service. It expressed deep concern over what it viewed as a deliberate attempt to malign her professional reputation.
“This kind of provocative and false public statement not only demeans the dignity of a committed civil servant but also amounts to harassment, causing severe mental trauma,” the association stated. It emphasized that civil servants must be allowed to discharge their duties without fear or political pressure, and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding their dignity and integrity.
The association extended full solidarity to Tarannum and demanded an unconditional apology from MLC Ravikumar. It also urged the authorities to initiate legal proceedings under relevant laws for what it termed the deliberate dissemination of misinformation aimed at denigrating a senior official.
During his speech at the public program, Ravikumar had allegedly remarked, “The Kalaburagi DC office has also lost its independence. The DC madam is also listening to what they (Congress) say. I don't know whether the DC has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here,” a statement that has drawn widespread criticism.
We strongly condemn the remarks made by Shri Ravi Kumar, MLC, against @DCKalaburagi @Fouzia_Taranum at a public function. DC’s integrity & commitment to work is impeccable & her dedication to public service is irrefutable. IASOA will stand by officers who are targeted unjustly. pic.twitter.com/9HDUOCZLYW
— IAS Officers’ Association, Karnataka (@IASOAKarnataka) May 26, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Unjustified, says Russia on US pressure on India for buying Russian crude oil
New Delhi, (PTI): The US pressure on India for its procurement of Russian crude oil is "unjustified", a senior Russian diplomat said on Wednesday.
We are confident that India-Russia energy cooperation will continue notwithstanding the external pressure, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said.
It is a "challenging" situation for India, he said at a media briefing and added that, we have "trust" in our ties with New Delhi.
In the context of Western punitive measures against Russia, Babushkin said the sanctions are hitting those who are imposing them.
To a question, he said the role of BRICS as a stabilising force will increase amid the ongoing global turbulence.
His remarks came against the backdrop of strain in India's ties with the US following President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent that included an additional penalty of 25 percent for purchasing Russian crude oil.
US President Trump this month issued an executive order slapping an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.
Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics.
India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.
Consequently, from a mere 1.7 percent share in total oil imports in 2019-20, Russia's share increased to 35.1 percent in 2024-25, and it is now the biggest oil supplier to India.
