The Governor told Deccan Herald during an interaction on Saturday that he had been receiving 'complaint after complaint' regarding insecurity felt by people of minority communities in the state, though, he added, the “majority is happy here”.
Giving his assessment of the situation, Bhardwaj, who replaced Rameshwar Thakur in Raj Bhavan on June 30 as the constitutional head of the State, said, "I was a barefoot lawyer. And, now I am going to be a barefoot Governor. I have been visiting the state for the last 20 years. The situation was not like this earlier in Karnataka. It has a history of great harmony." He has stated that he would walk barefoot to protect the interest of minorities in the State.
“I belong to majority community. I am a Brahmin. But I am here to protect the interest of all communities which includes the minorities,” the Governor said.
Bhardwaj said that he had already held discussions with the government in this regard. Asked whether the BJP government had taken steps in pursuance of his advice, the Governor said: "When I came here, there was tension. I have told the government that peace should not be disturbed. I recently visited Mysore. There is a slight improvement in the law (and order situation there). Gulbarga, Udupi, Mangalore and Davangere had witnessed problems. I will be able to assess the situation only after I visit these places. I will begin my tour from Mangalore after Ramzan".
He also said that he had not been able to tour these districts due to long distance from Bangalore and the lack of a proper transport facility. "I don't use helicopter. I have not been provided with a good car," he pointed out. At present, the Governor has been provided with a Honda CR-V. He will be soon getting a Camry.
Bhardwaj also said that illegal outfits should not be allowed to take law into their hands. "Why should Sena enter prayer halls? That is illegal. There are legal instruments to deal with law and order", he pointed out.
On the Sudhakar issue, the Governor felt that it would be improper for the minister to continue in office as he has been prima facie found involved in serious crime.
Resignation
Bhardwaj said that he had sent a ‘serious notice’ to the Chief Minister regarding Sudhakar. It is understood that the Governor had written a letter to the Chief Minister in the matter. The letter followed a memorandum he had received from the Opposition Congress leadership in which the party requested him to direct the Chief Minister to drop Sudhakar and V Somanna from the Cabinet.
Of course, Somanna, who was holding Muzrai dept, has since resigned. In the letter, the Governor sought comments from the Chief Minister the Sudhakar and Somanna issues.
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