Parameshwara slams BJP over alleged provocative speeches, justifies action against CT Ravi, Basanagouda Patil

BENGALURU: Home Minister G Parameshwara slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over alleged provocative speeches by MLC C T Ravi and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) in Maddur, following the stone pelting incident. Justifying the police action, Parameshwara said that the BJP leaders spoke in “frenzy”.

He told reporters, “After C T Ravi, an FIR has also been filed against MLA Yatnal (Basanagouda R Patil Yatnal). From the beginning, we have been saying not to politicise this issue. Police action will be taken against whoever acts against the law. Be it a Muslim or a Hindu, if stones are pelted, the police will act. This should be left to the police”.

Condemning the speeches by Ravi and Patil, he said, “But BJP leaders went there and made provocative speeches — this is not right. They spoke in a frenzy and used words that should not have been used. What have they achieved by doing this? All this is being done by the BJP only for political purposes”.

Further, justifying the transfer of Additional SP Thimmaiah in connection with the Maddur violence in Mandya, the Home Minister said that the department took action after internal security lapses were found.

“Internal security lapses were found, and when lapses in security occur, the department has to take action. Whether it is an inspector or a sub-inspector, if lapses are found, action must be taken. The department views internal security lapses seriously and that is why action has been taken. Senior officials of the department collect information internally before taking action. I do not sit here and make such decisions myself”, he told reporters.

Earlier, BJP MLC C T Ravi lashed out at the Congress government in Karnataka for withdrawing criminal cases in connection with the Hubbali police station rioting case, where attempts were made to set the police station on fire. He further accused the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics and said that the Hindu community won’t stand it.

“This is a part of appeasement politics. Who recommended the withdrawal of the case against those who set the Police Station on fire? Congress people did that. Last year, petrol bombs were hurled at the Ganesh procession in Nagamangala, Mandya. Recommendations were made to withdraw the case”, CT Ravi said.

#WATCH | Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka: On FIR registered against him over his alleged provocative speech in Maddur, BJP MLC CT Ravi says, “This is a part of appeasement politics. Who recommended withdrawal of case against those who set the Police Station on fire? Congress people did… pic.twitter.com/oXOZyL4scL

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2025

The former minister claimed that the withdrawal of criminal cases by the Siddaramaiah government has encouraged communal forces, which eventually led to the recent stone pelting incident in Maddur. “Due to this, some communal forces think that this is their own government and they will be saved. Due to this mindset, there was stone pelting in Maddur this time. How did they get emboldened? Due to the appeasement politics by Congress. How long will the Hindu community tolerate it? They will not stand it,” Ravi added.

As tension gripped Karnataka’s Maddur following a stone pelting incident, the police registered an FIR against C T Ravi for delivering a “provocative speech” during a mass Ganapati immersion programme on Wednesday. According to officials, Ravi delivered an inflammatory speech on Wednesday during a Ganapati immersion program in Maddur. The police allege that the speech was provocative and capable of inciting hatred between communities.

The suo motu case was filed by Maddur Police based on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Manjunath. The complaint states that while addressing participants of the procession through a microphone, Ravi made remarks targeting the Muslim community. (ANI)