Yediyurappa's poser to Siddaramaiah on attack on Congress MLA Tanveer Sait
Bengaluru, Nov 19: Amid reports that the person who attacked MLA Tanveer Sait was associated with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of Popular Front of India (PFI), Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday questioned Congress leader Siddaramaiah on his then government's decision to withdraw cases against the Islamist outfit.
Accusing the former Chief Minister of having given "protection" to PFI, he asked Siddaramaiah, if he was in a way indirectly supporting the attack.
"Siddaramaiah when he was Chief Minister had withdrawn all cases against PFI.
There were riots in Shivamogga, Mysuru, there was also a murder. Now an attack has happened on Tanveer Sait," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I want to ask Siddarmamaiah, by giving protection to PFI that is involved in murder and 'goonda giri' (hooliganism), by withdrawing all cases against them- are you in a way indirectly supporting the fatal attack on Tanveer Sait?"
"I urge that Siddaramaiah, who is the leader of opposition, should give clarification in this regard," he added.
Congress MLA and former Minister Tanveer Sait was attacked by a man with a knife in Mysuru late on Sunday night, when he was attending a wedding.
The attacker of Narasimharaja constituency MLA, has been identified as Farhaan Pasha, aged about 25, and he is said to be associated with the SDPI.
Alleging that Siddaramaiah who is "alone within his own party" was making statements arbitrarily against BJP candidates in the bypolls, Yediyurappa said, "You (Siddaramaiah) speak arbitrarily as though BJP candidates have committed a crime.
Once the results are out we will get to know people's decision- what is right and what is wrong, until then I won't speak on the matter."
"But on PFI, Siddaramaiah should clarify about giving protection to them, and should make people of the state know about the facts," he said.
Yediyurappa's reaction came a day after Siddaramaiah in a tweet had alleged that the attack on Sait was an "evidence" for the collapse of peace and order in the state.
He had also urged the administration to arrest the culprits and provide protection to personalities, who are in public life.
Sait is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mysuru.
Meanwhile, reacting to Yediyiyurappa's comments, Siddaramaiah termed them as "irresponsible".
Speaking to reporters at Chikkamagaluru, he said, "CM has to speak responsibly. If he doesn't speak responsibly then it will be irresponsible..
I don't know what was the reason, but whoever has committed mistake have to be punished."
In 2015, the then cabinet headed by Siddaramaih, in a controversial decision, had withdrawn cases filed against several people relating to the communal violence in districts of Mysuru in 2009 and Shimoga and Hassan in 2010.
They included cases filed during the tenure of the earlier BJP government, including those involving members of the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) and PFI.
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Kerala lynching: CM assures justice, CPI (M) targets RSS-BJP over incident
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The Kerala government on Monday assured stringent action in the mob lynching of a Chattisgarh native mistaken to be a thief, and promised justice to the family, even as the ruling CPI(M) targeted the RSS over the assault, a charge denied by the BJP.
Ramnarayan (31), was allegedly beaten to death on Wednesday after being accused of involvement in theft at Kizhakeattappallam near Walayar in Palakkad district.
With the issue sending shock waves across the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday described the incident as "deeply disturbing".
Assuring justice to his family, who have arrived in the state, Vijayan said such acts tarnish the reputation of a progressive society like Kerala and are completely unacceptable.
State minister M B Rajesh claimed racial slurs were made at the victim and that the attackers were RSS workers. Ruling CPI (M) state secretary M V Govindan also alleged that RSS-BJP workers were behind the crime.
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In a statement issued by the CM's office, Vijayan said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the crime.
A special investigation team of the district police is probing the incident, he said, adding that instructions have been issued to thoroughly examine the details of the case and initiate all necessary legal proceedings.
The government will also review the matter and ensure appropriate compensation to the victim's family, Vijayan added.
He called for collective vigilance to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
His remarks came a day after opposition Congress and the victim's family demanded compensation and an investigation under stringent laws, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The brother of deceased man told reporters on Sunday that the family would not accept the body until their demands, including compensation of Rs 25 lakh, are met.
Kerala ministers K Rajan and Rajesh strongly condemned the incident and said it was not just a mob lynching case but racial abuse was involved in it.
The ministers said the accused had attacked the deceased man, calling him a "Bangladeshi" and beat him to death.
"The government will ensure a foolproof probe into the incident, and no one involved in the crime will be spared," Revenue Minister Rajan told reporters in Thrissur.
He said an amount not less than Rs 10 lakh would be granted from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) to the deceased man's family and a cabinet meeting would take a decision in this regard.
LSGD Minister Rajesh also said Ramnarayan was branded as a Bangladeshi by the attackers.
While talking to reporters in Palakkad, he alleged that those who brutally assaulted and killed Ramnarayan were RSS workers.
The Chhattisgarh native, who reached Kerala in search of a job, became a victim of the "divisive politics" of Sangh Parivar, Rajesh further alleged.
"Branding a person as Bangladeshi came from racial politics. Ramnarayan was a victim of the racial poison spread by the Sangh Parivar in the country," he charged.
Rajesh also accused a section of the media of hiding the involvement of the RSS in the assault.
Stepping up the attack against the right-wing groups, CPI (M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged that RSS-BJP workers were the ones behind the crime.
"Those involved in the incident were accused in various criminal cases of RSS. All of them were identified. Such cruelties should not be allowed to repeat in the state," he said.
Expressing strong protest, the senior leader further said a society which believes in democratic values and secular principles cannot accept such crimes.
Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan strongly rejected the charges against the saffron party and the RSS.
"Actually, why is politics mixed in such crimes. When a heinous crime like mob lynching happens, should it not be treated as an anti-social act," he told reporters here.
Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan urged the government to take urgent steps to provide financial assistance to the family of Ramnarayan.
Meanwhile, Palakkad Superintendent of Police Ajit Kumar said at present, the case was registered under sections of murder, and after a detailed probe, more would be added.
After verifying the caste certificate of the deceased man, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would also be invoked, he told reporters in Palakkad.
A 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the DSP (district crime branch) to probe the mob lynching incident. The SIT will be under the direction and supervision of the Pakakkad SP, he added.
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When reporters asked about the political background of the accused persons, the officer said it was being verified.
He said that the arrested persons were already facing police cases.
Five people have been arrested so far for allegedly beating Ramnarayan to death on suspicion of theft.
The injured man was rushed to the Palakkad District Government Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
