BJP dubs Karnataka Home Minister's remarks on molestation incident ‘shameful’

BJP leaders launched a brutal attack on Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara for his reaction to an incident of molestation reported in Bengaluru. “Incidents like these tend to happen here and there in a big city like this,” said Parameshwara, drawing flak from both state and central BJP leaders.

Karnataka BJP wrote on ‘X’: “Disgusting. Insensitive. Shameful. If this is your attitude, why even have a Home Minister? Women’s safety is NOT a joke. Mr Inefficient Dr G Parameshwara, resign if you can’t protect citizens.”

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and former AICC chief Rahul Gandhi was also targeted by BJP leaders. Pointing out that Bengaluru, once considered the ‘Start-up Capital’ had now become the ‘Capital of lawlessness’, Karnataka BJP asked, “Is this the women empowerment that ‘Balak Buddhi’ Rahul Gandhi promised? How many more horrors must occur before this ‘Halal’ government under ‘scam’ Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wakes up.”

Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal too demanded an apology from the Home Minister for trivialising sexual harassment. “Dr G Parameshwar should apologise immediately and instruct the Police to form a special team to trace those involved in this incident,” Yatnal said.

Karnataka BJP president Vijayendra opined that Parameshwara ought to have kept his opinion about the incident to himself rather than express them in public. “His shameless statements about women safety will have a bad impact on Bengaluru’s international reputation,” said the Karnataka BJP chief, adding that people were getting frustrated with increasing lawlessness under the Congress.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, meanwhile, dubbed Parameshwara an ‘accidental’ Home Minister. “He has failed to tackle lawlessness in the state effectively. Where is the guarantee of safety for women in our state, with women being molested openly on streets without any fear of the law. Bengaluru, otherwise known as ‘Silicon City ’, has become ‘Crime City’. The Congress government must be removed,” Ashoka added.