Karnataka sting operation: Kumaraswamy stages dharna outside Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office

Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H. D. Kumaraswamy staged a dharna outside the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office on Thursday, escalating his confrontation with the Karnataka government over the alleged harassment of members of his party’s social media team.

The protest comes amid a political controversy surrounding an alleged sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the detention of a JD(S) social media team member. Kumaraswamy has accused the state government of misusing the police machinery to target his party workers and demanded accountability from the authorities.

On Wednesday, Kumaraswamy alleged that Shankar, a member of the JD(S) social media team, was detained by the police without any cases being registered against him. He also claimed that another team member, Mohan, and his family had faced harassment.

The Union Minister questioned the rationale behind the police action and accused the Congress government of targeting young party workers.

The controversy has its roots in allegations surrounding an alleged sting operation involving Karnataka ministers and political figures. Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar had earlier warned his Cabinet colleagues about possible sting operations intended to discredit the government. Kumaraswamy, in turn, questioned the government’s reluctance to initiate a comprehensive investigation and alleged that the episode required a transparent inquiry.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has secured a gag order from a Bengaluru court restraining 42 media outlets from publishing a video that might tarnish his personal image. The BJP has used the controversy to attack the Congress government, adding to the political pressure on Shivakumar.

Kumaraswamy has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged sting operations and indicated that he would raise the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Before heading to the Commissioner of Police's office, Kumaraswamy held a press conference where he angrily said, “The Karnataka Home Ministry does not belong to Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s father,” which drew criticism over his choice of words. He later apologised for his emotional outburst.

On the steps of the Commissioner's office, he and his party colleagues sat demanding immediate action against a Kannada TV editor whom he accused of being the man behind the alleged sting operation against Siddaramaiah.

Kumaraswamy called off his protest out of respect for the Karnataka Police after Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh assured the minister of a fair enquiry.