Are you from BJP? Siddaramaiah snaps at reporter over cop's resignation question

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared visibly irritated when questioned about the resignation of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) NV Baramani, who sought voluntary retirement earlier last month citing public humiliation by Siddaramaiah during a Congress rally in Belagavi in April.

On Wednesday, when a reporter asked Siddaramaiah about the officer’s resignation after the Cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills, referring to the incident in which he raised his hand as if to slap the ASP but stopped short, the Chief Minister responded sharply. “Are you from the BJP?” he asked. “When they are staying quiet, why are you raising all these questions?”

Baramani had submitted his resignation to the state’s Home Secretary on June 14, alleging that Siddaramaiah had humiliated him in front of a large crowd and senior leaders by abruptly shouting at him and gesturing as though to slap him. The officer stated that although he instinctively stepped back and avoided being struck, the incident left him deeply demoralised and caused immense distress to his family.

The government has not yet accepted Baramani’s request for voluntary retirement, and reports suggest that the Chief Minister and several senior ministers have since reached out to him, urging him to reconsider his decision. Siddaramaiah had also met the officer in person following the episode.

On Thursday, Home Minister G Parameshwara also addressed the issue, downplaying the resignation and suggesting that it would not be accepted. “There’s nothing like that. I have spoken to him. We will give him a posting. There was no deliberate intention behind what happened, it was just in the heat of the moment. Even Minister HK Patil and I have spoken to him. We will ensure he gets a posting,” Parameshwara said.

Minister MB Patil defended the Chief Minister’s conduct. He said, “I don't know about that, I need to speak to the Home Minister. I was an eyewitness to that, I was there at the event. Saying that he went to slap him is wrong, he just warned,” Patil said.

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