BJP and JD(S) members of the Karnataka Legislative Council have submitted a petition to the Speaker, urging the dismissal of Congress MLC Ivan D’Souza for making what they termed as “unconstitutional and provocative” remarks against the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot.
The members alleged that during a Congress protest in front of the Mangaluru City Corporation on September 19, 2024, D’Souza condemned the Governor’s decision to permit an inquiry into corruption allegations against the Chief Minister. In his speech, he reportedly said the President should recall the Governor or “just as the President of Bangladesh fled overnight, we will make the Governor flee here overnight.”
According to the petitioners, these remarks triggered violence, with thousands vandalising public property, pelting stones, damaging buses, and creating fear among citizens. They emphasised that such statements against a Dalit Governor were deeply condemnable, as they endangered the unity, security, and social harmony of the country while encouraging anti-social forces.
The memorandum stated that insulting the Governor — the highest constitutional authority in the state — was an attack on democratic values. The leaders urged the Speaker to act swiftly to safeguard the dignity of both the Governor’s office and the Legislative Council.
Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Chief Whip N. Ravikumar, and several MLAs, including T.A. Saravana, S.V. Sankanur, Hanumantha Nirani, M.G. Bone, Pratap Simha Nayak, Govindaraju, Shantaram Siddi, D.S. Arun, K.S. Naveen, Dr. Sabanna Talwar, and Dr. Dhananjay Sarji, were present during the submission.