BENGALURU: Home Minister G Parameshwara, on Thursday, firmly dismissed the demand for the suspension of the police inspector responsible for the arrest of ‘kar sevak’ Srikanth Poojari in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation in Hubballi. The opposition BJP had intensified its pressure on the government, calling for the immediate release of Poojari and suspension of the police inspector involved.
“Why should the inspector of Hubballi be suspended? He has done his duty. Let the BJP protest. If they think there should not be law and order in the state, let them continue the protest,” Parmeshwara stated, responding to BJP’s demands.
Parmeshwara argued that, apart from the arrest’s timing ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya, the police had not violated any laws. He accused the BJP of inflating the issue for political gains, asserting that the government would not tolerate such politics.
Refuting speculations about the inspector being sent on compulsory leave, Parmeshwara clarified, “He has gone on leave for two days since January 2 and will take charge after returning and carry out his duties.”
In response to the ongoing “I am kar sevak, arrest me” campaign by BJP leaders, Parameshwara commented, “Let them do what they want, we will do our job.”
The Karnataka BJP, persisting with its protests, launched the “I’m also a kar sevak, arrest me too” campaign. In Bengaluru, MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar led the campaign, staging a sit-in near the Sadashivnagar police station, which resulted in his preventive custody.
The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, described Poojari as a “social miscreant” and “criminal suspect,” countering BJP’s accusations of harsh treatment toward Hindus. Siddaramaiah argued that Poojari faced allegations of involvement in 16 anti-social activities, including illegal liquor sales, gambling, and matka.
As the political tussle continues, the BJP accuses the Congress government of being harsh on Hindus and engaging in minority appeasement.
