Bengaluru, Karnataka – 01/05/2025 – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing widespread condemnation after a video surfaced showing him making a seemingly aggressive gesture towards a senior police officer during a public event. The incident, which occurred amidst protests near the event venue, has sparked outrage and accusations of abuse of power.
The video shows the Chief Minister gesturing angrily towards an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), with reports suggesting he appeared to raise his hand in a manner perceived by many as an attempted slap. Furthermore, the chief minister is accused of addressing the officer in a disrespectful, singular form.
In a show of frustration, he called Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Narayan Bharamani who was deployed for stage security, and rebuked him for the breach, and was seen raising his hand in an attempt to slap him.
“You, whoever you are, come here, what were you doing?” he asked and raised his hand to slap the officer, but stopped shortly at doing so. Subsequently, he instructed him to remove the people who are creating disturbance.
In the video, Siddaramaiah was seen losing his cool despite AICC general secretary Raneeep Singh Surjewala and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil trying to calm him down. He later questioned Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, who is from Belagavi.
This incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with opposition parties and citizens alike denouncing the Chief Minister’s behavior as unbecoming of a public representative. Critics argue that Siddaramaiah’s actions set a poor example and risk conveying a damaging message to the public, particularly the younger generation.
Opposition Leader JDS accused the Chief Minister of arrogance and misconduct. The party criticised Siddaramaiah for raising his hand against the police officer in a public setting.
Describing the act as disrespectful, the party said that such behavior, including speaking in singular terms, was “an unforgivable crime.”
“A responsible public servant should be a model for the next generation. Instead, we witnessed a display of arrogance and disrespect,” stated Human Rights Kolar District President -Gausevaka Srinath, condemning the Chief Minister’s actions.
Concerns have also been raised about a pattern of behavior, with allegations that Siddaramaiah frequently addresses individuals, regardless of age or rank, in a singular, informal manner, even during public appearances. This practice, while sometimes attributed to a casual or even playful demeanor, has been labeled as misconduct by some.
Adding fuel to the controversy, questions have been raised regarding the apparent disparity in Siddaramaiah’s behavior. Critics point out that he has never addressed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a similar informal manner, leading to accusations of discriminatory conduct.
A statement released by a concerned citizen emphasized, “As well-wishers of our Chief Minister, we urge him to maintain decorum on public platforms. This nation operates under a Constitution that guarantees equality for all. Disregarding this principle undermines the very foundation laid by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.”
The statement further criticized the tendency of political followers to overlook or justify such behavior, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional values above partisan loyalty. It also called for increased civic education, particularly among political workers, to ensure a better understanding of their fundamental responsibilities as citizens.
“The misuse of constitutional values for personal gain is a disservice to the nation,” the statement asserted, highlighting the potential for such actions to erode public trust in the rule of law.
The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation and appropriate action to be taken. The Karnataka Lokayukta and the Governor’s office have been identified as potential avenues for filing complaints. The incident continues to generate political and public discussion, with many demanding accountability and a commitment to upholding the constitutional values of equality and respect.
Leave a Reply