Siddaramaiah says Lakhimpur Kheri violence reminds him of Jallianwala Bagh massacre
New Delhi, Oct 5: Senior Karnataka Congress leader Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that the killing of four farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh reminded him of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the incident.
Siddaramaiah, who met his party president Sonia Gandhi here and discussed the upcoming bypolls in two assembly constituencies in the state and other party matters, alleged that the current BJP government is taking "farmers lightly".
Eight people were killed Sunday as violence erupted during a farmers' protest claiming the lives of both farmers and BJP workers in Lakhimpur Kheri district. Four of the dead were farmers, allegedly knocked down by vehicles driven by BJP workers. The others were BJP workers and a driver who were allegedly pulled out of the vehicles and lynched by the protesters.
Siddaramaiah said Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra should be dismissed and his son who was allegedly behind the incident should be arrested.
"This reminds me of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre...killing of four innocent farmers," he told reporters after meeting Sonia Gandhi.
Alleging that the current BJP government is taking "farmers lightly", he sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the violence.
"Farmers' protest against three agri laws has been going on for 10 months but the PM has not tried to resolve the issue till now. The Modi government is an anti-farmer government.... The Modi government is more like a Hitler government," he charged.
Asked if the Congress party is considering a larger role for him in the national politics, the former chief minister said it is "incorrect". "Except for Karnataka politics, no national politics was discussed," he said and asserted that his interest lies in state politics.
Siddaramaiah said he had earlier denied the post of party general secretary offered to him by former party chief Rahul Gandhi. He also said that he was made a member of the Congress Working Committee but had resigned from that post also.
"So, there is no interest in national politics. I am confined to Karnataka politics," he added.
"I was called for a meeting. I met Sonia Gandhi. By-elections and the Congress party issues were discussed," the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly told reporters after the meeting.
Bypolls to Sindgi and Hangal assembly constituencies are scheduled for October 30.
The Congress leader also said there was no discussion with the party president on any reshuffle in the party's state unit.
"It was not discussed with madam (Sonia Gandhi). I have given a list to (Congress general secretary Randeep Singh) Surjewala. He has said he will discuss this issue (reshuffle in state party unit) with me," Siddaramaiah added.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
