“Don’t test my patience” HD Deve Gowda issues ‘stern warning’ to grandson Prajwal Revanna
Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has issued a “stern warning” to his grandson Prajwal Revanna, who is currently accused in a sex scandal and is reportedly absconding from India. In a letter shared on his X handle, Gowda expressed his anguish and called for Prajwal to surrender to the authorities immediately.
Gowda shared the emotional and personal turmoil he and his family have endured since the scandal broke. "It took me some time to recover from the shock and pain Prajwal has inflicted on me, my entire family, my colleagues, friends, and party workers," he said. Gowda reiterated his stance on the matter, stating unequivocally that if found guilty, Prajwal should face the harshest punishment under the law. This sentiment has been echoed by his son and former Karnataka Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Acknowledging the harsh criticisms directed at him and his family in recent weeks, Gowda chose not to retaliate or seek to silence his detractors. "People have used the harshest words against me and my family. I am aware of it. I do not wish to stop them or criticize them. I will not try to argue that they should have waited until all the facts were known," he stated.
Gowda addressed the public skepticism regarding his knowledge of Prajwal's activities and movements, including his alleged foreign trip. "I also cannot convince people that I was unaware of Prajwal's activities, that I have no desire to shield him, or that I was not aware of his foreign trip. I believe in answering to my conscience and to God, who knows the truth," he asserted.
Choosing not to delve into what he described as political conspiracies, exaggerations, provocations, and falsehoods that have emerged in recent weeks, Gowda expressed his faith that those spreading such misinformation would eventually face divine justice. "I am very sure people who have done it will have to answer to God and pay for it heavily one day. I place my truth and my burdens at the feet of the Lord," he said.
The core of Gowda's message, however, was his direct warning to Prajwal. "At this juncture, I can do only one thing. I can issue a stern warning to Prajwal and ask him to return from wherever he is and surrender before the police. He should subject himself to the legal process. This is not an appeal; it is a warning," Gowda declared. He stressed the consequences of not heeding this warning, highlighting the potential for total isolation from the family. "If he does not heed this warning, he will have to face my anger and the anger of all his family members. The law will take care of the accusations against him, but not listening to the family will ensure his total isolation. If he has any respect left for me, he has to return immediately."
Gowda also emphasized his commitment to ensuring a fair investigation, free from any interference by him or his family. "I wish to make it clear that I will ensure there will be no interference in the inquiry against him from me or my family members. There is no emotion in this regard in my mind whatsoever, only the cause of justice for those who have suffered as a result of his alleged actions and misdeeds," he said.
"It is of utmost importance to me to earn back the trust of the people. They have stood by me for over sixty years of my political life, and I am deeply indebted to them. As long as I am alive, I will never let them down," he concluded.
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Paper leak mafia thriving under BJP's double-engine governments: Bhagwant Mann
Shimla (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday slammed the Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak and said that such incidents are surfacing in regions governed by the BJP's 'double-engine' and 'triple-engine' governments.
He said the leak and cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance test (NEET) 2026 examination is a major failure on the part of the Union government.
"This is not the first time that a paper leak has happened. Such incidents have surfaced in 2017, 2021, 2024, and now even in 2026 and every time, a CBI inquiry is initiated, arrests are made, yet after a short while, the accused are released on bail," he said.
Mann, who arrived at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium to boost the morale of the Punjab Kings team ahead of their upcoming IPL match, told the media that lakhs of students toil day and night, harbouring dreams of transforming their families' fortunes, but when exams are cancelled due to paper leaks, these students are left heartbroken.
The NEET 2026 paper held on May 3 was cancelled on May 12 after reports of a paper leak in Rajasthan.
He said that the paper leak mafia is predominantly surfacing in regions governed by the BJP's 'double-engine' and 'triple-engine' governments. "Paper leaked, dreams shattered, the country's administrative system is unable to conduct even a single examination properly", he added.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mann said that while Modi imposes various restrictions on the public, he himself continues to embark on foreign tours.
He asserted that the public deserves to know the country's true economic situation.
"The prime minister must disclose the current status of the country's oil reserves, the extent of our gold reserves, and fundamentally why restrictions are being imposed on every single commodity", he said.
No other nation has imposed such restrictions and the ongoing war is being used as a pretext, even though the country's economy is already in a precarious state, Mann added.
Regarding the ongoing campaign against drugs in Punjab, Mann said that the state government is continuously taking action against drug traffickers and asserted that a large number of traffickers are being sent to jail and that Punjab will soon move towards becoming drug-free.
Speaking about the upcoming IPL match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians to be held in Dharamshala, Mann said that he also holds the portfolio of Punjab's sports minister and has arrived in Dharamshala to cheer the team.
