BJP MLC CT Ravi accused of using derogatory word against Minister Hebbalkar in Legislative Council
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 19: Karnataka BJP MLC C T Ravi is accused of using a derogatory word against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday.
While Ravi on his part has denied the allegations as "false", Congress leaders said Hebbalkar has complained to the Legislative Council Chairman on the matter.
According to Congress leaders, Ravi allegedly used the derogatory word several times against Hebbalkar during an altercation between them, after the House was adjourned for some time by Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, following an uproar over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on B R Ambedkar.
Speaking to reporters Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the incident happened after the Chairman adjourned the House, and that he was standing two rows behind Hebbalkar at that time.
ALSO READ: Amit Shah would have been 'scrap dealer' if there wasn't Ambedkar's Constitution, claims CM
There was a war of words between Hebbalkar and Ravi, and as she made certain comments against him, he used the derogatory word against her, he said, "I initially couldn't believe that an MLC could use such a word and waited for confirmation. He could be heard using that word and walking out. Later Hebbalkar herself came and told a few of us about it, with pain." "We have complained to the Chairman and sought his (Ravi) expulsion. The Chairman has assured action after verifying audio and video," Yathindra, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son, said.
Meanwhile, some of the Hebbalkar's supporters staged a protest against Ravi at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha primisis here and they were whisked away by the police.
Meanwhile, Ravi responding to a question on allegations that he used derogatory words against Hebbalkar, said, "Her allegations are false, let the audio and videos get verified, I will speak after that. I won't say anything now. This is not the right time to answer this question. I'm not someone who will abuse someone personally. I have not abused her, I don't know why she felt that way." "I have not said anything to her....I have not made any personal comments against her, that she is claiming," he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaking to reporters termed Ravi's reported comments against Hebbalkar as "filthy" and said it amounts to criminal offence.
"He (Ravi) has used a very filthy word to Laxmi Hebbalkar, who is a Minister in my cabinet, and it amounts to criminal offence. She has complained to the Chairman and the police. Police will take action according to the law," he said.
When told that Ravi has denied allegations, the CM said, "everyone is saying that he used the word ten times, I don't know, I was not there in the Council. Council members came and told me Ravi has used a filthy word.
Laxmi Hebbalkar is pained, it is in a way sexual harassment against her."
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.
Uttarakhand police orders verification of madrassas in a month
Dehradun, Dec 19: Uttarakhand police has ordered a verification of madrassas in Uttarakhand following complaints about some of them operating illegally.
The order has been issued following an instruction to this effect from the Chief Minister's Office to the DGP, Inspector General of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Nilesh Anand Bharne said.
The verification process is necessary for the safety of children and maintaining law and order in the state, he said.
The main objective of the campaign is to stop illegal activities and ensure that all madrassas function within the legal framework, the IGP said.
All districts have been directed to submit a detailed investigation report within a month, he said.
The verification drive will focus on finding out whether the madrassas have a registration and all the necessary documents, the official said.
It will also examine the source of their funding and the verification of children studying in them, Bharne said.
In a related development in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme Court on November 5 had upheld the constitutional validity of the 2004 state law regulating the Muslim minority educational institutions and said a statute cannot be struck down on the ground of secularism.
The Supreme Court said the positive concept of secularism required the state to treat minority institutions at par with secular ones and treat all equally irrespective of faith and belief.
The apex court made the remarks while upholding the constitutional validity of the 2004 Uttar Pradesh madrassa education law.
As a result, it set aside the March 22 Allahabad High Court order that quashed the madrassa law on the ground that it was violative of the principle of secularism.
