A shocking video showing a BJP minister from Karnataka V Somanna slapping a woman at a public event has triggered a backlash, with the Congress demanding he be sacked immediately. The incident occurred on Saturday in an event in Chamarajanagar district where Somanna, the housing minister, was distributing land titles.
The video shows the woman, identified as Kempamma, confronting the minister. According to reports, Kempamma, and a few other women, had come to share their grievances with regard to the selection procedure. They alleged the beneficiaries for the distribution of the title deeds were not appropriately selected.
The minister, irked by the protestors, slapped the women in front of women security personnel. The woman, however, is seen touching the minister's feet immediately after she got slapped. The woman was then seen being dragged off the stage.
However, Kempanna later told reporters that she was not slapped by the Minister as projected but was advised by the Minister and extended all help.
Somanna reportedly apologised later. "I bowed at his feet with the plea and the minister lifted me consoling me that he would help me but it was publicised that he beat me up," the woman accompanied by her children said in the video, as per PTI.
However, Congress has accused the minister of being "drunk on power." Congress leader Randeep Surjewala took to Twitter to post: "Arrogance has gone to the head of BJP Ministers & leaders in #Karnataka. On one hand, people suffer the huge burnt of #40PercentComission & on the other, women get slapped by ministers drunk with power."
"Where is our PM? Will u dismiss the Minister, Mr. Bommai? #AntiWomenBJP" he added.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the minister after sharing the video. "What a difference from the way @RahulGandhi began the Karnataka leg of #BharatJodoYatra from the very same Gundlupet on 30th September! This shameless man should be sacked immediately!" Ramesh tweeted.
Janata Dal (Secular) spokesperson Tanveer Ahmed National also took to Twitter to lash out against the minister. "Mr @VSOMANNA_BJP can you justify what you did. Honourable @narendramodi @JPNadda @blsanthosh @AmitShah @BSYBJP @BSBommai how can you tolerate this action by a politician for over 30 years," read Ahmed's tweet.