Karnataka: BJP workers continue to protest against Siddaramaiah

The anger of the BJP workers at Siddaramaiah stems from his recent remarks over Savarkar.

At Chikkamagaluru, Siddaramaiah told reporters that the protests against him were state-sponsored.

“We will hold a protest in Kodagu on 26 August in front of the SP office,” Siddaramaiah added.

While addressing an event, he said, “These people have killed Gandhi, will they spare me? Godse shot Gandhi, but they worship his photo.”

On 18 August, during a visit to rain-affected regions of the Kodagu district, Siddaramaiah had to face protests from BJP workers.

Congress hits back

Congress senior leader and former MP C Narayanaswamy told South First, “The undemocratic behaviour of BJP workers against Siddaramaiah is condemnable. BJP workers are habitual offenders. They will be taught a lesson by the people of Karnataka when the time comes.”

The official Twitter handle of the Karnataka Congress also expressed anguish over the incident and sought the suspension of the Kodagu district’s Superintendent of Police.

‘@siddaramaiah ಅವರು ಸಾಗುವ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಅವರ ಆಗಮಿಸುವ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲೇ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಗೂಂಡಾಗಳು ಜಾಮಾಯಿಸಿದ್ದರೂ, ಮುನ್ಸೂಚನೆ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಪೊಲೀಸರು ಅವರನ್ನು ವಶಕ್ಕೆ ಪಡೆಯದೆ ಅವರ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೇ ನಿಂತಿದ್ದರು.

ಗೂಂಡಾಗಳಿಗೆ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ನೀಡುವುದು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನವಾಗಿತ್ತೇ?

ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಲೋಪವೆಸಗಿದ ಕೊಡಗು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ SPಯನ್ನು ಕೂಡಲೇ ಅಮಾನತುಗೊಳಿಸಿ.

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) August 19, 2022

Congress workers staged protests against the heckling of Siddaramaiah by BJP workers. (Saleem Ahmed/Twitter)

Congress workers staged protests against the heckling of Siddaramaiah by BJP workers.

Protests took place in Mysuru and at Freedom Park in Bengaluru.

Congress supporters in Mysuru’s Najangud gathered on road, burnt tyres, and shouted “Down Down BJP” slogans.

Party workers also protested in Kodagu’s Madikeri, condemning the attack on Siddaramaiah.

Congress MLA Saleem Ahmed tweeted about the protest at Freedom Park.

ಕೊಡಗು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆರೆ ಹಾನಿಗೊಳಗಾಗಿರುವ ವಿವಿಧ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಿಗೆ ತೆರಳಿದ್ದ ವಿರೋಧ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ @siddaramaiah ಅವರ ಕಾರಿಗೆ ಮೊಟ್ಟೆ ಎಸೆದ ಘಟನೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಯುವ ಮೋರ್ಚಾದ ಗೂಂಡಾ ವರ್ತನೆಯನ್ನು ಖಂಡಿಸಿ ಇಂದು ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ಫ್ರೀಡಂ ಪಾರ್ಕ್ ಬಳಿ ನಡೆದ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದೆ. pic.twitter.com/3RDGWE2etX

— Saleem Ahmed (@SaleemAhmadINC) August 19, 2022

BJP blames Siddaramaiah comments

Karnataka BJP spokesperson MG Mahesh blamed the former chief minister’s comments for protests by BJP workers.

He told South First, “Siddaramaiah’s statement on freedom fighter Savarkar was derogatory in nature. The protests in Kodagu against Siddaramaiah was the anger of locals against his endorsement of Tipu Sultan, who killed thousands of Kodavas.”

BJP spokesperson Mohan Krishna also slammed Siddaramaiah.

In an interaction with a news channel, he said, “As an Opposition leader, Siddaramaiah should control his tongue. Law and order are not to be blamed. When people get agitated, they won’t heed any leader.”