Sanjay Raut a traitor, will initiate legal action against him: CM Bommai
Belagavi, Dec 22: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday came down heavily on Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut and called him a traitor.
The Chief Minister's outburst was against Raut's statement that he will enter Karnataka like China entered India.
He also warned legal action against Raut for his provocative statement.
Amid the simmering border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, Raut on Wednesday stoked a controversy, saying they will enter the neighbouring southern state the way China has "invaded" Indian territory.
"The way China has invaded (Indian territory), we will do the same in Karnataka. We do not need anyone's permission to do so," Raut told reporters in Delhi.
"I will call him China Agent. Sanjay Raut is a China agent. He is a traitor. Sanjay Raut is a Desha Drohi. In this federal system if someone says he will illegally enter another state means this is an attempt to destroy the federal system, unity and integrity of this country," Bommai said in the Karnataka Assembly as he moved a resolution condemning the border dispute.
The resolution was passed unanimously with a voice-vote.
"What to call that person other than traitor? Talking so cheap may be his way but we will not entertain him. He does not have even a value of a 'Kaudi' (Kaudi of Cowri is a sea shell money, which existed in the ancient India and even during pre-independence era. It was way less than a Paisa). If he keeps talking like this then we will initiate legal action against him," Bommai said.
The Chief Minister said, "If you come like China then we will retaliate like Indian soldiers."
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Bommai said everyone knows what importance should be given to Raut, who is known for giving provocative statements.
To a query on some opposition members statement in Maharashtra regarding the sharing of water to the state, the Chief Minister said India is a federal country and water does not belong to one state alone when it flows into three to four states.
There are interstate water dispute Act, water tribunals and Supreme Court judgements, he added.
"I am telling them to restrain from such statements," Bommai cautioned.
"These kind of arrogant statements will not serve any purpose. They have given them for political gain. None of them could ever be implemented. There are always relations between one state and another. Already the border dispute is in the Supreme Court. If they have strength, let them fight there," the Chief Minister said.
Bommai expressed confidence in winning the case in the Supreme Court as the state's case is very strong constitutionally.
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.
Karnataka Governor gives assent to legislation against ‘honour killing’ in inter-caste marriages
Bengaluru: The government has brought into force the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of honour and tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Act, 2026, intended to restrict ‘honour killings’ in inter-caste marriages.
According to The Indian Express, the legislation received assent from Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on April 9 and was officially notified in the state gazette on April 10. The law had been passed unanimously by the state legislature last month.
The Bill was proposed by the Congress government in the wake of caste-linked ‘honour killings’ in the state, including the December 21, 2025, murder near Hubli of a 20-year-old Lingayat woman by her father for marrying a man from another caste.
The phrase ‘Eva Nammava Eva Nammava’ in the title is in reference to the message of universal humanity that the Lingayat saint Basavanna espoused. Basavanna, who rebelled against the caste system to lay the foundation of the Lingayat faith system, an amalgamation of all castes, used the words meaning ‘he is a part of me’ to say all people are one.
Under the new law, crimes committed in the name of ‘honour’, including murder, assault, threats, and social boycott, are specifically addressed with stringent punishments. ‘Honour killing’ offences carry a minimum imprisonment of five years, while serious assaults attract at least three years in jail.
The new law defines the social boycott of inter-caste couples as forcible eviction to remote corners of villages, refusal to provide services, refusal to provide work, refusal to conduct business, denial of loans and admissions to schools, and makes it punishable.
In the case of ‘honour killings’ per se, the new law prescribes a minimum imprisonment of five years, and in the case of assaults, a prison term that is not less than three years for serious injury and two years for minor injuries.
The offences under the proposed law are cognisable and non-bailable, which means police can carry out arrests without court permissions after taking up a case.
The legislation follows several reported inter-caste relationship-related killings in Karnataka in 2025, including cases in Raichur and another involving 18-year-old Kavita.
The law to protect the freedom of choice in marriages is among several social bills that the Congress government has brought out in line with its policies for the backward and downtrodden communities in the state.
