Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader S. Harish on Thursday alleged that a government officer engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was assaulted by a group of around eight people after he refused to include “Bangladeshis and Pakistanis” in the voters’ list. The BJP has demanded the resignation of Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the incident and sought enhanced security for officials involved in the electoral revision exercise.

The allegations were made during a press conference. Police have not yet publicly confirmed the BJP’s version of the incident or the motive behind the alleged assault.

BJP alleges officer was attacked during SIR duty

Addressing reporters, Harish, the BJP’s Bengaluru North president and former Deputy Mayor, alleged that Fakirappa, a superintendent-rank government officer overseeing SIR work at 10 polling booths in Pulakeshi Nagar Assembly constituency, was assaulted while performing his official duties.

According to Harish, the officer was allegedly attacked by seven to eight individuals after refusing demands to include “Bangladeshis and Pakistanis” in the electoral rolls.

Harish claimed the officer maintained that only eligible persons possessing valid documents could be enrolled as voters.

Officer allegedly sustained injuries

The BJP leader alleged that Fakirappa was dragged on the road and physically assaulted, resulting in injuries to his teeth and lips.

He said the officer was admitted to hospital for treatment and claimed that he remained traumatised following the incident.

Harish further alleged that attempts were made to suppress details of the incident and claimed that local political pressure had been exerted on the officer. These allegations have not been independently verified.

BJP seeks action against accused

Harish claimed that while three persons had been arrested in connection with the incident, several others allegedly involved in the assault were yet to be apprehended.

He also alleged that some of the accused had links to individuals involved in the 2020 D.J. Halli violence, accusing the State government of failing to take stringent action against them. He did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

Demand for Home Minister’s resignation

Criticising the State government, Harish questioned the law and order situation in Karnataka and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Priyank Kharge.

He argued that if government officials carrying out election-related duties were allegedly being assaulted in public, it reflected a serious failure of the Home Department.

Drawing a political comparison, Harish referred to the Opposition’s earlier demand for the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and said the BJP was similarly seeking accountability from the Karnataka government.

Call for protection of election officials

The BJP leader urged the government to provide immediate security to officials engaged in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and ensure strict action against those responsible for the alleged attack.

He said the incident underscored the risks faced by government officials carrying out election-related work and reiterated the party’s demand for the swift arrest of all those allegedly involved.

As of now, the State government and the police have not issued a detailed public response to the allegations made by the BJP leader.