File photo of Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar
Credit: DH Photo
Belagavi: Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said that the "derogatory words" used by BJP MLC C T Ravi have hurt her and a legal fight against him would continue.
"I will make evidence available to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and urge them to expedite investigations. Ravi will not be forgiven for his acts," Hebbalkar told the reporters here on Monday.
She further said the she has worked hard for about 26 years to achieve success in politics and it was no red carpet welcome for her.
"For two days, I had gone into silence because I was shocked. I had never heard such a thing from anybody. I have come forward in politics fighting injustice. There was no red carpet for me in my career. I have struggled for 26 years and come to this level," she said.
The minister further accused the BJP leaders of supporting Ravi. "BJP State President B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly R Ashok, BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal and others were supporting Ravi despite him insulting a woman. BJP leaders talk of Lord Ram and should be ashamed to glorify and support a person who insulted a woman."
If he has any conscience, he should tell women in his family that he is feeling guilty, she demanded.
Hebbalkar said, Ravi has been sporting a bandage on his head as if he has suffered severe injuries. "Police have taken action as per the laws and people from state were flaying him for the words used. BJP leaders were attempting to divert the case."
The minister aslo said that she will write a complaint against Ravi to President Droupadi Murmu and if possible, would also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.
In the Legislative Council, during a protest against the BJP for insulting Dr B R Ambedkar, Ravi had called Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi "a drug addict" and later used alleged derogatory remarks against Hebbalkar.