Man threatens acid attack on Journalist Shahbaz Ansar’s wife’s over clothing choice in Karnataka
Bengaluru: In a disturbing incident, an individual named Nikith Shetty allegedly threatened Journalist Shahbaz Ansar on social media, claiming he would splash acid on Ansar's wife's face due to her choice of clothing, especially in the context of Karnataka. The exact background of the conversation is still unclear, but the threat has sparked serious concerns.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Shahbaz shared a screenshot of the message, stating, "This is serious. @DgpKarnataka @CMofKarnataka @DKShivakumar. This person is threatening to throw acid on my wife's face for her choice of clothes. Please take immediate action against this person to prevent any incident from happening."
This is serious. @DgpKarnataka @CMofKarnataka @DKShivakumar . This person is threatening to throw acid on my wife's face for her choice of clothes. Please take immediate action against this person to prevent any incident from happening. pic.twitter.com/N6fxS59Kqm
— Shahbaz Ansar (@ShahbazAnsar_) October 9, 2024
In another post, Shahbaz revealed that the person threatening his wife worked at Etios Digital Services, further raising safety concerns about the work environment at the company.
The person who was threatening my wife with acid attack works for Etios digital services. I don't think women are safe in this organisation. pic.twitter.com/xgpqGt2XyJ
— Shahbaz Ansar (@ShahbazAnsar_) October 10, 2024
Following public outrage, Etios Services released a statement condemning the actions of their employee and announced that Nikith Shetty had been terminated for five years. The company also confirmed that they had filed a case against him to ensure legal accountability.
Local police also replied to Ansar’s tweet and asked him to send details on the incident and his contact number. They also asked Ansar to reach nearest police station and file a complaint against Shetty.
The company’s statement read:
Important Announcement from Etios Services
We are deeply saddened to address a serious incident involving one of our employees, Nikith Shetty, who made a threatening statement regarding another individual’s choice of clothing. This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and goes against the core values we uphold at Etios Services.
As a company committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment, we have taken immediate action. Nikith's employment has been terminated for a period of five years, and we have filed a case against him to ensure accountability for his actions.
At Etios Services, we believe in promoting respect and dignity for all individuals. We stand firmly against any form of harassment or violence. Our commitment to creating a safe workplace is unwavering, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to uphold this standard.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this situation. Together, let’s work towards a more respectful and inclusive community.
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.
"Feast with the Kauravas, align with the Pandavas!"
The sudden defection of C. P. Yogeshwar, who previously joined the BJP through 'Operation Kamala' out of a desire for power, to the Congress has sparked discussion. Some question whether it's right for the Congress to accept Yogeshwar, who until recently endorsed the BJP’s principles. However, looking at his political journey, it becomes evident that his actions were driven by a pursuit of power rather than commitment to any ideology. His switch to the BJP was not due to loyalty to its principles, nor is his current shift to Congress a result of a newfound love for Congress's secular ideals.
It appears he sees more immediate benefits with Congress, leading to this sudden move. It wouldn’t be surprising if he later switched back to the BJP. His approach is centred around power-oriented politics, which can aptly be called opportunistic politics. Moreover, Yogeshwar has never let such considerations trouble him.
However, a lingering question remains: why are the Congress leadership turning a blind eye to their own leaders who, while in Congress, align openly with the Sangh Parivar and RSS without any shame? If this trend continues, the day isn't far when the state Congress will transform into an official political wing of the RSS. Leaders who have defected to Congress simply due to a lack of power in the BJP continue to enjoy authority within Congress, all while working for the interests of the RSS and Sangh Parivar. As a result, even with Congress in power, the government fails to curb the Sangh Parivar's unchecked actions in the state.
In coastal regions, Sangh Parivar operates fearlessly in communal provocations, as they are openly encouraged by leaders within Congress who are nurtured by RSS ideology. A prime example is in Puttur, where a Congress leader openly pledged loyalty to Sangh Parivar leaders, publicly challenging the Congress leadership. Three days have passed since the incident, yet the so-called Congress leaders have expressed no objection. Their silence indirectly supports other Congress members who seek official recognition with RSS’s allied organisations.
Once known statewide for writers like Shivaram Karanth and Molahalli Shivaraya and for its cooperative efforts, Puttur is now identified for communal incidents due to the actions of the Sangh Parivar. The reputation of not only Puttur but also the entire Dakshina Kannada district has been tarnished by the communal misdeeds of these organisations. In an example of this shift, last Wednesday, at the foundation ceremony for the new district office of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Puttur Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Rai and former MLA Shakuntala Shetty participated with great enthusiasm. At this public event, MLA Ashok Kumar Rai even bowed down to VHP leader Gopal Ji, showing reverence.
It’s not as if these Congress leaders are unaware that the VHP does not represent the entirety of Hinduism and is not a religious organisation but rather a political one masked as a religious group. The fact that it operates for certain political parties during elections is also not unknown to the Congress leaders of Puttur. Instead of spreading Hindu values and virtues, organisations like the VHP often propagate hatred against other religions under the guise of Hindu Samajotsava. Many VHP activists face criminal charges, and now, with the Congress MLA bowing down to VHP leaders, it seems the Congress itself has implicitly endorsed these criminal actions.
Through this gesture, both the current and former Congress MLAs have openly expressed to their superiors that they are unwilling to let go of RSS and Sangh Parivar ideologies. Bowing down to the Sangh Parivar’s leaders is effectively a rejection of Congress's secular values. Yet, the Congress leadership remains indifferent.
