Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj detained during protest, accuses cops of displaying ‘goondagiri'
Bengaluru: The protest staged outside the Town Hall as a part of the Karnataka Bandh on Saturday gave rise to ruckus as police personnel intercepted the protesters, including veteran pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and film producer Sa Ra Govindu, and took them to Freedom Park.
A 12-hour statewide bandh was held on Saturday, in objection to the recent attack on a bus driver and conductor in Belagavi by a Marathi group for not knowing Marathi. The protest was held with the objective of ‘upholding pride in being a Kannadiga’.
Nagaraj, Govindu and the other protesters shouted slogans against the state government as well as the Police Department. In addition, Nagaraj reportedly planned to start a rally from Town Hall, when a group of 100 police personnel, including the Bengaluru police's kabaddi team, intercepted the protesters and took them to Freedom Park.
The protesters expressed their support for 75-year-old Nagaraj, who is known for his vehement stand in favour of Kannada, by shouting their slogans louder when he arrived at the protest venue.
The police, however, took action against the activist as he stepped out of his car, detaining him and led him to a BMTC bus meant to transport the protesters.
Enraged by the police detention, Nagaraj accused the police of indulging in ‘goodagiri’ and said that he had never been treated so brutally by the police during his participation in protests. He also raised objection to being issued notices by alleging that they were attempts to silence the protesters.
Further, the activist slammed ministers Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Satish Jarkiholi, who are legislators from Belagavi, for their lack of support to the protesters and also called them ‘Marathi agents’.
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Rajanna seeks action on 'honeytrap' attempt, submits representation to K'taka Home Minister
Bengaluru, Mar 25 (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the state government will decide on the course of action and nature of the probe into the alleged "honeytrap" attempt on Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna, after consulting legal experts and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The statement came after Rajanna submitted a representation to Parameshwara seeking necessary action regarding the alleged incident.
Addressing reporters here, Parameshwara said, "Rajanna was unable to give any representation or complaint for the last few days due to his work commitments. Today he has given it to me as he had said in the Assembly, I have accepted. Regarding further action and nature of the probe, we will decide after discussing with the Chief Minister."
Noting that he cannot receive the complaint, as it should be given at the police station, he said what Rajanna has submitted to him can be considered as a representation or a plea, and based on this what action can be taken in accordance with law, will be decided after consulting the legal experts.
He declined to disclose the details when asked about the contents of the representation.
Responding to a query on Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court on the matter, the Home Minister said, "We don't know what the court decides. We won't wait for it and we will proceed independently for now."
Asked why the police did not file a suo moto case in this matter, he clarified that since the issue was raised in the Assembly, there should have been directions from the Speaker to take action.
"As there was no such cause of action, we had to wait for Rajanna to file representation or complaint."
He, however, refrained from responding to a question if there was a delay in action as the ruling party leaders were allegedly behind the "honey trapping".
Last Thursday, Rajanna had informed the Assembly that honeytrap attempts were made on him and that at least 48 politicians across parties had fallen victim to such schemes.
The issue created a stir in the Assembly, prompting the Home Minister to announce a high-level probe, while the opposition demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge.
Asked whether the representation was only in connection with his case or including 48 politicians across parties, who have fallen victim, Rajanna said his representation was only in connection with the case involving him.
"Is this the first time such a thing has happened? You (media) know better how many have obtained a stay from the court in such cases. My intention is to put an end to such things and not take revenge or make allegations against someone."
Asked why he was giving a representation to the Home Minister instead of lodging a complaint with the police, Rajanna said his move is consequential to the developments in the Assembly, after his name was taken there in connection with the "honey trap" case.
Earlier in the day, Rajanna told media in Tumakuru that he also wanted strict action against those involved in or supporting such acts of "honey trapping", as he stated that he has detailed everything that happened in a three-page note.
"I have not installed CCTV cameras in my Bengaluru house. If they were there, we could have identified those who came," he said.
He noted that the individuals who allegedly attempted to "honeytrap" him were strangers, and it needed to be investigated whether they acted independently or had someone behind them.
Giving further details, he said among the people who had visited him twice in alleged 'honeytrap' attempts, the same man was present on both occasions, while the woman accompanying him was different each time.
"The woman who came the second time claimed to be a High Court lawyer. However, she was not wearing a lawyer's coat but was clad in jeans and a blue top. They approached me, stating that they had something important and confidential to discuss. I can recognise them if I see their photos," Rajanna said.
Reacting to a PIL filed in Apex Court on this issue, Rajanna said, the PIL seeks a CBI probe, claiming that he had referred to 'honey trapping' of judges, but the fact is that he has not spoken about judges.
To a question on his travel plans, Rajanna said he would be visiting Delhi after March 30.
Asked whether he would take up the matter with the Congress high command, he responded, "The matter has already reached the high command. They have not asked me anything personally, so I haven’t spoken to them. However, they have gathered information on their own and have spoken to the Chief Minister about it."
