Govt pressured police to arrest journalist: C T Ravi

BJP State General Secretary C T Ravi has accused the state government of adopting double standards in taking action against those who had posted derogatory remarks about Hindu religion.

“The government that arrested a journalist for criticising Tipu Sultan, has failed to initiate strict action against those who had posted derogatory remarks about Hindu religion and Hindu God.”

Speaking to reporters, he alleged that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government had pressured the police to arrest journalist Santhosh Thammaiah.

“Why did the police fail to arrest Prof K S Bhagavan, Prof Maheshchandra Guru and Yogesh Master who have been delivering inflammatory speeches on Rama, Krishna, Swami Vivekananda and Bhagavad Gita?” he asked.

He also questioned the government for failing to arrest Girish Karnad for “declaring himself” an “urban naxal” by displaying the placard during a protest.

Allegations against PM

“The state government had been supporting those who are leveling allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is threat to democratic system in Karnataka. Freedom of expression is being suppressed. Those who were raising voice against intolerance, are silent on the arrest of journalist Santhosh,” said the legislator.

The Congress and JD(S) have been accusing the Centre of weakening the investigation agencies. Unfortunately, the previous Congress government in Karnataka had misused the ACB to protect corrupt leaders. Now, the coalition government is misusing CCB to suppress political opponents, he alleged.

Citing an example of coalition government misusing investigation agencies, the court has blasted CCB police for arresting Janardhan Reddy in connection with the Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd without any evidence.

Ravi alleged that UPA government had lent loans worth Rs 34 lakh crore to corporate companies between 2008 -2014. All those who had availed loans then, have fled the country. Unfortunately, the Congress is now levelling allegations against the NDA government.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code had a positive effect on recoveries and prompting promoters to pay their dues in the last four months. The Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act has been effective in checking corruption, he reminded.

Ravi said, “Crores of money was unearthed in the houses of Minister D K Shivakumar and MP D K Suresh. When probe was initiated into it, the Congress leaders claimed that the Enforcement Directorate and IT sleuths were being misused. Now what is happening in the state?” he asked.

“Enforcement Directorate had not placed the money in the house of D K Shivakumar. How did Shivakumar’s family earn so much money? Should the investigation not look into the source of the cash unearthed?” he questioned.