Raichur, Aug 27 (IANS) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Karnataka Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Thursday accused the state government of failing to respond adequately to recent murder and rape cases in the Kalyana Karnataka region and demanded the appointment of a more capable Home Minister.
Speaking to the media in Lingasugur town in Raichur district, Narayanaswamy alleged that three serious incidents had occurred in Raichur district over the past 15 days, including the murder of a Dalit leader and two cases involving rape and murder.
“An incapable Home Minister is not what the state needs. The Chief Minister should give the present Home Minister the responsibility of RSS affairs and appoint someone else as Home Minister,” he said.
Narayanaswamy alleged that neither the state government nor the Home Minister had paid adequate attention to the incidents. He described the incidents as a “black mark” on Kalyana Karnataka and questioned why Home Minister Priyank Kharge, who is from the region, had not visited the affected areas.
“Three murders have taken place, but he has not even visited the spot. Minister Priyank Kharge cannot handle the Home Department. He has failed in every way in managing the department,” he alleged.
He said officials and police had visited the locations, registered complaints, and made arrests. Still, ministers and Congress leaders had not visited the affected areas to assess the situation.
Narayanaswamy also expressed concern over the alleged increase in the circulation and consumption of ganja and drugs across the districts of Kalyana Karnataka. He said the region needs a capable minister to control the drug menace.
He claimed that drug consumption was emerging as a major factor behind several incidents in the region. Narayanaswamy said he had met senior district police officials and called for strict action against those involved in the sale and distribution of drugs.
“Young people are consuming ganja and roaming the streets. This needs to be brought under control,” he said.
Narayanaswamy said the BJP had raised the issues of murders and rape cases in Kalyana Karnataka during the Assembly session but claimed that the matters did not receive adequate attention. He said the BJP had simultaneously protested inside and outside the Assembly, demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra.
The Opposition leader criticised the government for adjourning the Assembly session before its scheduled conclusion. “The Assembly had three more days to go. But the Congress government and the Cabinet adjourned the session and ran away,” he said.
He said the BJP had come to the region because it did not get an adequate opportunity to raise the issues of rape and murder in the legislature. “Only by coming to the spot can we know the truth. The government’s report will be different, and the officials’ report will be different,” he said.
He referred to the murder of a youth in Devadurga and the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl, saying the reasons behind the incidents would be examined.
Narayanaswamy also criticised district administration functioning, particularly the role of deputy commissioners. He said a deputy commissioner had reportedly told him that some Dalit organisations had approached the administration, asking that the cases be handed over to the CID.
“Deputy commissioners are not meant to act like postmen. They should visit the spot, conduct an inspection, collect information from the police and submit a detailed report to the government along with recommendations for action,” he said.
He said he would write to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary seeking action against officials who had allegedly failed to discharge their responsibilities.
“If Dalits are facing such injustice and the government still does not wake up, what is the point of having these officials? If officials do not work, why are they needed?” he questioned.
Narayanaswamy said authorities should visit victims’ families, offer support, and ensure the truth comes out and justice is delivered to those affected.
–IANS
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