Democracy and ‘goondaism' cannot coexist, asserts BJP leader C.T. Ravi in Kalaburagi
Launching a scathing attack on the State government, especially Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge, BJP leader C.T. Ravi declared on Saturday that democracy and 'goondaism' cannot function side-by-side.
Mr. Ravi addressed reporters at the Aiwan-e-Shahi government guest house in Kalaburagi, before he participated in the BJP's 'Kalaburagi Chalo' protest. The demonstration was organised to condemn, what the BJP described as, the illegal detention of Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, who was reportedly held for nearly five hours at the Chittapur government guest house.
'We wish to remind Mr. Priyank that the Nizam's rule in this region ended long ago. He is not the Nizam's heir and should not behave like one. We are living in a democracy. If he gets rid of Nizamshahi, he will flourish in democracy,' Mr. Ravi stated.
Recalling the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mr. Ravi asserted that the people of India had already taught a lesson to those who once sought to intimidate them by proclaiming 'Indira is India and India is Indira'.
'People have answered the Emergency. The person who imposed Emergency was defeated in Rae Bareli in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. That was the people's verdict, and a similar verdict will be given to your goondaism in Kalaburagi,' Mr. Ravi.
Justifying Mr. Narayanaswamy's contentious remarks likening Mr. Priyank to a dog, Mr. Ravi contended that the Minister was not even fit for such a comparison. 'A dog has a special place in Indian culture. It is known for loyalty. I don't consider a person who criticises [the government] even in matters of national interest a loyal person. He is not suitable for that word also,' he said.
Highlighting the historical struggle of the people against the razakars to end the Nizam's rule, Mr. Ravi stressed that the region's populace, who had suppressed attempts to establish an Islamic Republic, would similarly not countenance the establishment of a Republic of Kalaburagi.
'People had not elected leaders to emulate the Nizam, but to serve the public with humility and responsibility,' he cautioned, warning Mr. Priyank against projecting a feudal mindset within a democratic framework.
Former Minister B. Sriramulu also weighed in, defending Mr. Narayanaswamy's 'dog' remarks against Mr. Priyank by asserting that the comments reflected a local saying.
'Congress leaders verbally attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi with harsher words and comparisons every morning,' Mr. Sriramulu observed. 'They call him a murderer, a venomous snake, a merchant of death and many more. They immediately justify their remarks by stating that it was a reflection of their local saying or a proverb,' he said, advising Congress leaders not to take Mr. Narayanaswamy's remarks seriously.
N. Ravikumar, MLC, asked Mr. Priyank whether he thought that he was the sole Dalit leader and Mr. Narayanaswamy was not. He also blamed Mr. Priyank's for Mr. Narayanaswamy's 'confinement' and demanded his resignation.
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