Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Tuesday strongly condemned the treatment of BJP MLC CT Ravi following his arrest. Narayanaswamy alleged that Ravi was transported throughout the night without food or water, likening his treatment to that of a terrorist, and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.
“Ashok ji, Bommai ji, and MLAs met the governor… CT Ravi was arrested and the whole night he was carried here and there without water and food… he was handled like a terrorist… we demanded a judicial inquiry into this,” Narayanaswamy stated.
Background on Arrest and Remarks
CT Ravi was arrested on Thursday by Bengaluru police following a complaint by Karnataka state minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. The complaint pertained to allegedly derogatory remarks made by Ravi during a session of the Karnataka Legislative Council. Ravi was later released on Friday after the Karnataka High Court granted interim bail.
The controversy escalated after Minister Hebbalkar responded to the alleged remarks during a media interaction. Expressing her distress, she said:
“When the BJP leader called Rahul Gandhi a ‘drug addict,’ I asked whether his being in accidents made him a murderer.”
Political Reactions
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned CT Ravi’s remarks, calling them “a criminal offence.” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, however, criticized the Congress government for what he termed as a misuse of power.
“Congress does not believe in democracy and the Constitution. They are trying to misuse their power to curb the political activities of their opponents,” Joshi alleged.
A BJP delegation, including senior leaders, met Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to discuss the arrest, accusing the Congress government of undemocratic practices.