Bengaluru, Nov 4 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday hinted at registering a criminal case against BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy over his remark that Congress leaders “would be torn to pieces and thrown into the Arabian Sea.”
He warned that Narayanaswamy could be put behind bars for his “loose talk”.
“If this tendency continues, he (Narayanaswamy) will face serious difficulties in the days ahead. He may have to count bars behind prison walls. We will not arbitrarily harass him or put him behind bars. We will take action strictly in accordance with the law,” Priyank told reporters.
Narayanaswamy, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, on Tuesday warned Congress leaders that BJP workers would “tear them to pieces and throw them into the Arabian Sea” if they created unrest in the country.
Addressing the “Save Democracy, Eradicate Anarchy” Padayatra (foot march) in Kolar, he alleged that the Congress was instigating anarchy by misleading people.
“Do not engage in attempts to mislead people. If you try to create anarchy, Congress, our BJP workers and supporters will tear you into pieces and throw you into the Arabian Sea,” he said.
Asked by reporters whether a suo motu case would be registered against Narayanaswamy for a statement that appeared to incite violence, the minister said, “We will do that. Yes, let us do it. See, it is nothing but calling for murder. What does he mean by saying that he will cut people into pieces and throw them into the Arabian Sea? Is that not incitement? It is actually a call for murder. Does he not understand even that much?”
Priyank said the BJP leader’s statement amounted to criminal intimidation and conspiracy.
Responding to Narayanaswamy’s clarification that the remark was not directed at any individual, Priyank said that after making all kinds of personal remarks, he could not claim they were not personal.
“Who are the Congress people he is referring to? Can a Leader of the Opposition stand before hundreds of people and say whatever comes to his mind? Does he have immunity? Does he have any exemption under the law, the court or the Constitution? He cannot simply speak whatever he wants,” he said.
Priyank hit out at Narayanaswamy, saying there was no connection between his brain and his tongue, and that the BJP leader was in the habit of making such controversial statements.
