Panchamasali leaders to file contempt of court case against Cong govt

High Court ordered a probe into the incident of lathi-charge on Panchamasali protesters in Belagavi, but the government failed to take up an investigation

Deputy Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Arvind Bellad said that despite the High Court ordering a probe into the incident of lathi-charge on Panchamasali protesters in Belagavi, the state government failed to take up an investigation. Thus, it amounts to contempt of court, he added.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Bellad said the High Court directed the state government to submit a report on the lathi-charge incident, and it also set a deadline of three months to accomplish this task. The three-month deadline expired on July 4, but the government either prepared the report or formed a committee to probe the incident. “It is clearly contempt of court. Therefore, the community lawyers will move the High Court against the state government,” he said.

“Demanding 2A reservation, members of Panchamasali community, under the leadership of Seer Jayamrutyunjaya Swamiji staged a protest in front of Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi during the winter session in 2024. But the state government used police to lathi-charge the protesters,” he said.

The previous BJP government announced an increase in reservation under 2C and 2D categories to all communities, but the present Congress government did not implement it. At least the government should give 2A reservation to the community, he demanded.

'Demotion by promotion'

When asked about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s new role as head of the AICC Other Backward Classes (OBC) Advisory Council, Bellad said, it is like ‘demotion by promotion’. After observing ongoing politics in the Congress party, the high command gave Siddaramaiah a role at the national level.

Reacting to MLA Basavaraj Rayaraddi’s statement to choose guarantees or development, Bellad said that Rayaraddi is economic advisor to CM. After knowing there is no development in the Congress government, senior politician Rayaraddi asked people to give up guarantees for development. If the government stops looting, the same money can be used for development, he added.