Priyank Kharge says after High Court gives relief to CT Ravi, FSL report makes things clear

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge talking to the media in Kalburgi on December 21, 2024. Photo Credit: Arun Kulkarni

Responding to BJP leaders rejecting High Court’s order to release MLA CT Ravi, who was arrested after making abusive and objectionable remarks against Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on Thursday (December 19, 2024). Criticizing the ruling Congress, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report made the facts clear.

“BJP called the High Court order a triumph of justice and an insult to the Congress. Let’s wait for the FLS report which will clarify things. Not only BJP people, we also know the law. CT Ravi launched an aggressive attack against Hebbalkar in the council. No MP condemned his statement. Ravi’s You understand how arrogant the BJP leaders are when they all stand silently to support it are bad and none good. They did nothing to light people’s houses but did everything to set fire to their houses,” Mr. Kharge told the media in Kalaburgi on Saturday (December 21, 2024).

In the BJP leadership’s statement on the issue, Mr. Kharge said that the saffron party has insulted women by supporting Mr. Ravi.

“BJP state unit president BY Vijayendra did not say that he would take appropriate action against Ravi and look into the matter if he had spoken such derogatory words against Hebbalkar. Instead, he claimed that BJP people do not wear bangles. It means that he insulted women who wear bangles. Vijayendra’s father (Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa) is himself an accused in the POCSO case, what can be expected from him? (accused of trapping) was not issued a notice,” he said.

When asked about the allegations of police harassment against Mr. Ravi, Mr. Kharge said that the police had done their duty in what the BJP called harassment.

“After the arrest of the accused, post mortem is a common procedure. The police did the same in this case. Ravi was arrested for the crime and the police were doing their duty. What did the BJP leaders do in the police station while the process was going on? The BJP has accused the Congress of vindictive politics. This is a baseless allegation. Ours is progressive politics. It is BJP politics to turn falsehood into truth,” Mr. Kharge said.

Asked in Parliament about Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments about Dr BR Ambedkar, Mr Kharge said: “I don’t know if one can go to heaven even if one chants thousands of mantras in every seven lifetimes. Many times in the name of God. But, I can say firmly that If one imbibes the principles of Ambedkar, one can have a life of respect and self-respect in this lifetime.”