Mangaluru: MLC-elect CT Ravi has sharply criticized the Congress-led government in Karnataka, accusing it of fostering an environment where criminal and communal activities have surged over the past 13 months. According to Ravi, the state has seen an unprecedented rise in violent incidents, including 500 murders and 700 farmer suicides in the last four months, based on NCRB records. He attributed this increase to the government’s leniency towards communal forces.
During a press conference on Saturday, Ravi also cited an NIA report claiming the presence of over 50 sleeper cells of IS and other terrorist outfits in the state. He further criticized legislative assembly speaker UT Khader, suggesting that Khader should prioritize national loyalty over communal considerations.
Ravi also lashed out at Mangaluru City police commissioner Anupam Agarwal, following Agarwal’s statement linking provocative slogans that referred to Muslims as Pakistanis to the stabbing of two BJP workers in Boliyar. The commissioner noted that the BJP workers’ slogans during a procession had escalated tensions, leading to the violent incident. Ravi condemned Agarwal’s response, accusing him of bias and demanding a focus on law and order. He also questioned why BJP workers’ comments provoked such a reaction if they were untrue and called for the deportation of those he referred to as ‘Pakistanis.’
Ravi further expressed dissatisfaction with legislative assembly speaker UT Khader and district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for not visiting the injured BJP workers in the hospital. Addressing RSS leader Indresh Kumar’s remarks on BJP’s electoral performance, Ravi stated that the party would take the criticism constructively.
