There was pandemonium in both Houses of the legislature on Thursday as the BJP demanded an inquiry into the lathi-charge on protesters seeking reclassification in reservation for Panchamasali-Lingayat sect, in front of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
The government, however, refused to budge on the issue, resulting in walkout by BJP members in the Legislative Assembly.
In a charged debate on the issue, which saw both ruling and opposition members clashing frequently, BJP leaders alleged that protocol had been violated and blamed the police for “high handedness” to disperse the crowd even as the government defended the action.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced in the Assembly that there was no need for an inquiry into the incident and no action would be initiated against any police officials.
“We have video proof to show who pelted stones and footwear. All evidence is before us. No official went beyond their brief. I do not think any officer is wrong. Whoever violates law, we deal with them with strict action,” the Home Minister said during the discussion on the issue.
Communal remarks
Earlier, raising the heat with communal-laced remarks, which plunged the House into disorder on multiple occasions, BJP member Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal claimed: “We are not terrorists nor are we stone or petrol bomb pelters. Who uses petrol bomb or pelt stones in this country? Why were tractors carrying Panchamasalis barred from entering Belagavi? The ADGP who ordered the lathi-charge was in civil dress and violated all established protocols to order the action.”
Referring to the reservation demand for Panchamasali community, he asked, “Is the 4 % reservation [for Muslims] in category 2B [for backward classes] constitutionally valid?” He further alleged that the Chief Minister was misleading and appeasing one community.
When Mr. Yatnal threatened to write to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah against the police official, the Home Minister took objection. Leader of Opposition R. Ashok and other BJP members demanded that the government apologise to the Panchamashali community and also order a judicial probe, besides initiating action against the police.
Yatnal praises Shah
Mr. Yatnal went on to claim that it was Mr. Shah who had cracked the Panchamasali reservation impasse when the BJP government, headed by Basavaraj Bommai, diverted 4% reservation given to Muslims under 2B category among Lingayats and Muslims.
“He [Mr. Shah] felt that injustice cannot be meted out to those in category 2 A, which has 104 castes.” Mr. Yatnal, who has been served a show-cause notice for indiscipline, said multiple times that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Shah were inclined to provide reservation for Panchamasalis.
In Legislative Council, Opposition members, who sought more time for discussion on the issue, resorted to protest, forcing adjournment of the House. They withdrew their stir after Chairman Basavaraj Horatti said that he would allow the debate on Friday.
Published – December 12, 2024 09:49 pm IST
