Bengaluru: The opposition BJP on May 24 targeted the Congress Government in Karnataka accusing it of “demoralising” the state police and took strong exception to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar’s statement on saffronisation of the police force.
Taking officials to task during a meeting with senior police officers over some incidents in the previous BJP regime, Shivakumar on May 23 had asked: Are you planning to saffronise the Police Department? He insisted that it would not be allowed in the present Government.
Referring to incidents of police personnel sporting saffron shawls or dress during some occasions in Mangaluru, Vijayapura and Bagalakote under the BJP regime, the Deputy Chief Minister had said: We will not allow saffronisation of the Police Department under our Government.
BJP leader and Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on May 24 said Shivakumar’s statement was not a good start for the new Government.
Governments come and go, but no attempts should be made to demoralise the Home and Police Departments which have the responsibility of maintaining law and order and controlling crime.
May 23’s statement was demoralising. To further their agenda, they have spoken (out) doubting the police, he said.
Bommai claimed that the Karnataka police has never been or ever will be saffronised while adding that such a phenomenon was just an illusion of the Congress leaders.
Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra accused Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of trying to ‘Congress-ise’ the Police force in May 23’s meeting. Our policing system is very good. The police act as per law. They don’t discriminate on the basis of religion, he said.
BJP Vice President and MLA B. Y. Vijayendra questioned why Congress leaders get agitated on seeing saffron, as he reminded them that the national flag has the colour in the top band. It’s an illusion that one can run the Government by suppressing the administrative machinery. Those running the administration should bear this in mind, he said.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar stood by his statement and said he is not answerable to BJP leaders. Looking at their administration, people have already answered, he said alluding to the BJP’s loss in the just-concluded Assembly polls.
Stating that he was referring to how police personnel in some places wore saffron instead of their uniform to pose for a photograph, he said, The police had a good image in Karnataka, he stressed.