Karnataka BJP legislator sparks row with vulgar remarks against Chief Secretary

Karnataka BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar has stirred controversy with a derogatory remark directed at Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh. “The Chief Secretary works at night for the state government and all day for the Chief Minister,” Kumar said with a smirk, during a protest at Vidhana Soudha.

The comment was made while Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy was seen speaking to MN Karibasavana Gouda, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Vidhana Soudha Security) near the Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, where BJP leaders had gathered for a planned protest. In the video, the DCP Gouda is seen smiling as MLC Ravi Kumar makes the remark.

Responding to the remark, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, “It is not bizarre, it is their mindset and their mentality. This is what is taught in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakhas. He is an RSS man, is he not? These people cannot win elections on their own. They are not the popular choice of the people; they are pushed into the BJP by the RSS. And this ideology, inspired by the Manusmriti, is what they are taught in these shakhas.”

He added, “It is truly unfortunate. Did he not recently make a derogatory comment about the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner? And what did the High Court say? The Court reprimanded him and asked him to apologise to the lady. Has he done that publicly? No.”

Ravi Kumar previously, too, has made disparaging comments against government officers. On May 24, speaking at a gathering in Kalaburagi, Ravi Kumar made a communal reference, questioning the nationality of Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum.

He has said, “I don’t know whether the Kalaburagi DC has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here. Looking at your applause, it seems like the DC has indeed come from Pakistan.” His remarks were made in the context of an earlier incident in which Chalavadi Narayanaswamy was allegedly locked inside a government guest house surrounded by Congress supporters.

Following the Kalaburagi comment, an atrocity case was registered against Ravi Kumar under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The complaint also alleged that Ravi Kumar made disparaging comments about senior police officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannavar, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shankargouda Patil, and Circle Police Inspector Chandrashekar. His comments had prompted strong reactions from the state ministers.

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