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Amid protest by BJP over arrest of a man in Hubbali linked to the riots that took place after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that the arrest of was part of the law and order process and the government was not resorting to "vendetta politics".
"We are not doing vendetta politics, but we are carrying out the task of maintaining law and order. We are a peace-loving state, there is no place for anti-social activities," Shivakumar said. He accused the BJP of "trying to politicise" the matter and said the state Home Minister has already clarified that the government is only trying to clear pending cases. "Necessary action will be taken against those who have violated the law and brought disrespect to the state. The BJP could not elect the Leader of the Opposition for seven months. Now that the general elections are coming closer, they are raising these issues to show that they are politically alive. In a democracy, people will answer," Shivakumar said. "We are not filing false cases against party workers of other parties like them. Check the number of cases the BJP has filed against Congress party workers in Bengaluru and Hubballi during their tenure. We haven't done anything like that and we won't do it in future," he added. Asked about the opposition party's plan to hold protest at police station in Hubballi, the Deputy Chief Minister said they may do it. "Let them do it. They saffronised the khaki uniform of the state police when they were in power, we won't do such things." Responding to a question about the reported move to transfer the disproportionate case to Lokayukta from CBI, Shivakumar said he had not received any notice regarding this. "I will comment when I receive a notice," he said. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders held a protest against the Congress-led government here following the arrest of a man in Hubballi for his alleged involvement in the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition. The protest was staged in Bengaluru and leaders including state president BY Vijayendra Bhaskar Rao, Sadananda Gowda and CN Ashwath Narayan took part in the protest. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier dismissed the opposition's allegation of appeasement politics. "What should be done to the wrongdoers? Should we just leave them? We have told the police to dispose of old cases. No innocents have been arrested. We will proceed according to the court's direction," the Chief Minister told reporters on Tuesday. (ANI)
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