Not afraid of BJP threats or insults, says B.K. Hariprasad
Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader and Legislative Council member B.K. Hariprasad on Saturday said he was not someone who would be scared by threats or insults from the BJP and would never bow down to such pressure.
Hariprasad said the BJP’s “Indra-Chandra-Satyaharishchandra” episodes were being exposed in instalments, not just in Karnataka but across the country. “I am not a coward who fears the BJP’s threats and insults and bends before them. I am not from a Gandhian lineage that surrenders out of fear, nor am I like those who seek mercy by writing apologies,” he said.
Hariprasad remarked that listening to lessons on dignity and culture from the BJP was like “listening to the Bhagavad Gita from the mouth of a ghost”. He alleged that the BJP, which he said had completely destroyed the dignity and decorum of democratic institutions, had no moral authority to preach about values, respect or culture.
He criticised the BJP for following a tradition of promoting leaders who speak loudly in think tanks and public forums, while forgetting the common people who are struggling on the streets. He said people were shocked by the kind of language used against women and elected representatives, whether inside the House or on public platforms.
Hariprasad further alleged that the RSS and BJP, which once spoke of discipline and values, had now abandoned those ideals. He said slogans of courtesy had been replaced by glorification of rowdyism. He accused the BJP of being a party where even the Union Home Minister faces serious cases and where cadres allegedly involved in hooliganism and criminal activities are celebrated.
He said the BJP appeared to have created a separate platform for those accused of serious crimes, including violence, rape and murder. “When such people are elevated and glorified, it becomes impossible to expect dignity or moral conduct from the party,” he said.
Questioning the BJP’s internal standards, Hariprasad asked what kind of culture allows a person who allegedly referred to a government minister using derogatory language to be made part of the party’s think tank. He questioned whether leaders who made offensive remarks about women were selected through the “front door or the back door”.
He also referred to remarks allegedly made against the Chief Secretary and questioned the BJP’s decision to elevate individuals who, according to him, made shameless statements in public meetings. Hariprasad said the party’s think tank itself appeared to be overwhelmed by the language and mindset of such leaders.
Hariprasad further questioned whether the BJP had any sense of shame, honour or dignity, alleging that the party continued to support leaders accused of serious misconduct, including acts against women. He said retaining such leaders without accountability reflected the BJP’s declining moral standards.
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Rape-accused 'godman' Kharat sent to judicial custody till April 14
Nashik (PTI): A court in Maharashtra's Nashik on Wednesday remanded rape-accused self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in a 14-day judicial custody.
Kharat was arrested on March 18 after a 35-year-old woman accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years. Following his arrest, multiple rape complaints were filed against him.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting a probe against Kharat.
As his police custody ended on Wednesday, he was produced before the court. During the hearing, the SIT sought his judicial custody.
Accordingly, sessions judge B N Ichpurani remanded Kharat in judicial custody till April 14. He will be sent to Nashik Road Central Jail.
Kharat is scheduled to be produced in a court in another case on Thursday.
At least 10 FIRs, eight for alleged sexual assault or exploitation and two for cheating, have been registered against Kharat at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik, while the SIT has received more than 100 complaints over the phone against him.
On Wednesday, an SIT team detained Kharat's son Harshvardhan for questioning from their residence in Karmayogi Nagar here. He was let off at night.
The investigators are also trying to trace Kharat's wife Kalpana in connection with the probe against her husband. She is also named in a cheating case in Ahilyanagar district.
'Godman' Kharat heads a temple trust at Sinnar in Nashik and had several political leaders visit him over the years.
Last week, the SIT visited Kharat's office in Nashik along with a forensic science team, from where they recovered several documents, files and other evidence.
Notably, a 20-feet remote-controlled mechanised snake was also seized from his office. Kharat allegedly used the snake to make his visitors believe that he could control a live snake and thus possessed supernatural powers.
