‘Acting like dictators’: BJP leader CT Ravi slams Congress govt after arrest

BENGALURU: BJP leader CT Ravi on Friday attacked the ruling party in the state and accused the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government of acting like ‘dictators’ following his arrest in a case filed by minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

#WATCH | Karnataka: On his arrest, BJP leader CT Ravi says, “They (the government) have acted like dictators, there is a full stop to everything, dictatorship will not last long.”

CT Ravi was arrested after an FIR was filed against him on the complaint by Karnataka minister… pic.twitter.com/TiLbWp9UQQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2024

“They (state government) have acted like dictators, there is a full stop to everything, dictatorship will not last long,” said CT Ravi after he was arrested on the complaint by minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. The BJP leader was brought to Bengaluru to be produced before the people’s pepresentative court in connection with the case.

Visuals showed police officials escorting BJP leader C T Ravi to the court. This comes after the Fifth JMFC Court in Belagavi on Friday directed BJP leader and MLC CT Ravi to appear before the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru.

The Hirebagewadi police presented their case before the court, seeking a transit warrant for Ravi. The court granted their request and ordered the police to take him into custody as part of the legal process. The matter will now proceed at the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai responded to the case and said, “When there was a slogan ‘Pakistan zindabad’, they never arrested anybody, they took time for FCL report for two months and then made arrest. Here, no procedure has been followed. There is a Police Raj in Karnataka. Investigation must be done and truth must come out and then action must be taken. Police are being misused nowadays”.

#WATCH | Delhi: On BJP leader CT Ravi, Former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai says, “…When there was a slogan Pakistan zindabad, they never arrested anybody, they took time for FCL report for 2 months and then made arrest. Here, no procedure has been done…there is a… pic.twitter.com/m5ZA8EG2a5

— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2024

Ravi was arrested for allegedly making objectionable remarks about cabinet minister Laxmi Hebbalkar following which, an FIR was lodged against him. The BJP leader was arrested and brought to the district court by Belagavi police. Before being taken to court, he underwent a medical checkup at the Mutga Health Center in Belagavi.

Ravi filed a counter-complaint at the Khanapura police station in Belagavi, accusing Congress leaders Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Chamaraja Hattiholi, DK Shivakumar, Saddam, and others of attempting to kill him. He alleged that the police brought him to the Khanapura police station without providing a reason.

“Police brought me to Khanapur police station around 8 pm on Thursday. They didn’t tell me in which case they brought me. They’re not registering my complaint; they’re not even filing a zero FIR. If something happens to me, the Congress government must take responsibility”, CT Ravi claimed.

Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar earlier in the day addressed the alleged derogatory remarks made by CT Ravi during the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session. Speaking to reporters at her residence in Belagavi, she expressed distress over the incident.

Hebbalkar recounted, “After completing the protest (against the remarks of Amit Shah), I was sitting quietly in my seat. At that time, CT Ravi called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict. In response, I asked, ‘Even you have been in accidents–does that make you a murderer?”

She further alleged that CT Ravi used derogatory words against her following this exchange. “I am also a mother. People look up to me, and I hope thousands are inspired to enter politics because of me”, she added.

CT Ravi has been suspended from the Legislative Council, but Hebbalkar declined to comment on his suspension.

BJP State President Vijayendra accused the police of acting under pressure from the state government. “The Speaker has already ruled on what CT Ravi said on the floor of the House. We must wait for the FSL report. The Police Department appears to have succumbed to pressure from the Minister and the State Government. Yesterday, CT Ravi suffered a severe head injury, yet he was not taken to the hospital. He wasn’t given even a drop of water all night. Is CT Ravi a terrorist? He is a respected MLC and a former minister,” Vijayendra stated.

He also called for statewide protests against Ravi’s arrest, asserting that the treatment of the BJP leader was “unpardonable.” “We will take further action after consulting our advocates and experts. Protests will be held across the state in all district headquarters,” he added.

BJP workers staged protests in Chikkamagaluru and Belagavi on Wednesday, condemning the arrest of CT Ravi. In Chikkamagaluru, BJP workers gathered to demand his release, accusing the state government of targeting opposition leaders. Following his arrest, BJP leaders called for a bandh in Chikkamagaluru.

The bandh was organised by the Chikkamagaluru district BJP, prompting a heavy police deployment in the city. Security was tightened, with officers stationed at key locations, including Hanumanthappa Circle.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed the BJP’s support for party leader C T Ravi. Siddaramaiah questioned Ravi’s conduct, saying, “They are supporting the use of derogatory language towards women. If it is false that C T Ravi used vulgar language, why was he arrested? Normally, women cannot file false complaints about such allegations. I don’t know why C T Ravi used vulgar language. This is a crime. He was taken to Khanapura for his safety only; people might have started a protest against him, and that’s why he was taken away from there (from the city).”

Deputy Shivakumar also detailed the incident, claiming Ravi repeatedly insulted Hebbalkar. “There was a discussion in the House on Union Home Minister insulting BR Ambedkar, and CT Ravi interfered and called Rahul Gandhi a ‘drug addict.’ When Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar jumped in to defend her party leader, he called her ‘prostitute’ several times,” said Shivakumar.

Shivakumar added, “He used the word 12 times. The media must take this seriously. If you don’t have the evidence, I will share it with you”. (ANI)