Law & order has deteriorated in a big way in K'taka, Cong govt has lost moral right to govern: BJP
Bengaluru, Aug 23: Alleging that law and order in Karnataka had deteriorated in a big way and incidents of murders, extortion and rapes have become rampant, the state BJP on Saturday claimed the situation after the Congress government coming to power is such that criminals don't fear the police.
Also claiming that drug mafias were growing and a jihadi mindset is expanding in Karnataka, the principal opposition party also said the Congress government had lost the moral right to govern the state.
The attack against the government on the law and order situation comes in the wake of a 24-year-old woman being allegedly kidnapped, drugged and raped after being taken to a secluded place in Karkala in Udupi district.
The incident was reported from Karkala town police station limits on the night of August 23, police said, adding two persons have been arrested in connection with the case.
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"The law and order situation has deteriorated in the state in a big way, after this (Congress) government came to power there is a situation where there is no fear of police. Incidents of murders, extortion and rapes are increasing daily," BJP's state BJP General Secretary and Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, at the time when the drug mafias are growing, jihadi mindsets are expanding, leaving aside politics, the government should come forward to save women and girls.
"Don't know what the priority of the Chief Minister is. If saving his seat is his priority, no one can do anything. When such incidents are occurring daily in the state and when the people are in fear, along with installing courage in them, especially among the womenfolk, the Chief Minister and the government should have given a clear warning to the people," Kumar further said in response to a question.
"If the government can't send a warning message to the criminals. What message does the government's silence send?" he questioned and said the situation is that criminals don't have fear of the police.
Terming the incident where a 24-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped, drugged and raped as "condemnable and a satanic act", the BJP leader said, "How did the drug reach the hands of the accused? Who is behind it?"
Noting that when Neha Hiremath was murdered in Hubballi earlier this year and allegations of "love jihad" surfaced, the Chief Minister and Home Minister had rejected it, he asked, "Which forces are behind this incident? The government and district administration has to make it public, and all those forces behind it should be punished by the police."
Demanding that the government had to bear the expenses of the victim's treatment, he said the administration has to give her courage and protection to her family.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly R Ashoka too alleged that under the Congress government there was no protection for Hindus, as rape and murders have become repeated occurences and such cases are covered up.
Citing recent incidents in Haveri, Hubballi and now Karkala, he said, "such incidents have become a daily occurrence...Law and order has deteriorated and the Congress has lost the moral right to govern the state."
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Women''s Bill: Stalin says proposal amid polls raises suspicion; backs 33 per cent reservation
Chennai (PTI): Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday alleged that the proposed amendment to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in the midst of polls in states including Tamil Nadu appeared to be yet another political manoeuvre aimed at shaping electoral narratives.
Stalin alleged the timing for the proposed amendment led to serious suspicion.
"Why push such a far-reaching decision in the middle of state elections. This appears to be yet another political manoeuvre aimed at shaping electoral narratives, much like earlier attempts to influence women voters ahead of the 2024 Parliament elections," he alleged in a statement titled "This is not reform, this is reengineering power."
Further, he said: "Let me be unequivocal: we strongly support 33 per cent reservation for women. Our support is absolute. But it must be implemented without increasing seats and without punishing states that acted responsibly. If the intent is genuine, nothing prevents immediate implementation within the existing framework."
Demanding fair delimitation, he alleged there was complete opacity on the basis for delimitation and asked would the exercise rely on 1971 figures from a pre–population control era or the 2021 Census. "Conflicting signals and vague assurances only deepen suspicion." This move would also impose a massive financial burden on states, forcing them to expand or rebuild Legislative Assemblies, all without proper consultation.
"This is a direct assault on cooperative federalism. This is not reform, it is a unilateral, politically driven exercise designed to concentrate power, weaken Parliament, marginalise the South, and undermine social justice," he alleged. "The nation deserves answers: why this undue haste, why shift the goalposts, and who truly stands to benefit."
The NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is systematically eroding the very foundations of Parliament, he alleged.
The Dravidian party chief claimed: "What should be a vibrant forum for debate and accountability is being reduced to a hollow ritual, a stage where members may not even get fair time to speak or represent their people. This proposal to increase seats is a direct contradiction of their own slogan of minimum government, maximum governance. It will only inflate expenditure, burden taxpayers, and dilute the quality of parliamentary functioning."
This also went against the spirit of Article 1 of the Constitution, which defines India as a Union of States. Ignoring the voices of states and bypassing meaningful consultation is not democratic - it is unitary overreach that undermines the country's federal and plural character.
More alarmingly, this exercise will blatantly skew representation and tilt the balance of power in favour of northern states dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, while silencing the voice of south India, he claimed.
"As forcefully pointed out by veteran leader Siddaramaiah (Karnataka CM), this is not a neutral exercise; it is a calculated political restructuring. Northern states stand to gain nearly double the (Parliamentary) seats, while the South’s share stagnates at around 24 per cent. This is nothing short of penalising states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Keralam and Telangana for their success in population control."
Chief Ministers across the South, including Siddaramaiah, Pinarayi Vijayan and A Revanth Reddy have rightly warned that this move will distort federalism and concentrate power in a few regions, the DMK president alleged.
PM Modi said on Thursday that the proposed amendments to the Women Reservation Act are not just a legislative exercise but a reflection of the aspirations of crores of women across India and urged all MPs to come together to support this significant move.
He had last week announced an extension of the Budget session of Parliament by three days, from April 16 to 18, so that the Women's Reservation Act can be amended for its implementation from 2029.
