Bengaluru, Aug 31 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has said that “fringe elements” cannot be allowed to misuse the law by making complaints over social media posts or claiming that their religious or personal sentiments have been hurt, while asserting that unlawful, unscientific or illogical actions will not be tolerated.
His remarks came in the wake of the Karnataka High Court pulling up Bengaluru’s Whitefield police over repeated instances of alleged illegal arrests, including that of a Hindu activist Mohan Gowda for sharing a post celebrating the cancellation of Indian comedian Kunal Kamra’s show in Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kharge said those organising events or performances would be allowed to function freely as long as they remained within the law.
“As long as whoever is the entertainer or whoever is the institution that is doing this is well within the law, they will be allowed to function freely in the state of Karnataka,” he said.
However, he warned that groups attempting to prevent lawful activities by taking offence to social media posts or raising objections would not be permitted to operate outside the law.
“These fringe elements who think they can get away by posting things on social media and by claiming to have their feelings hurt – if it is illegal, unscientific or illogical, then it will not be tolerated,” Kharge said.
He asserted that such groups would not be allowed to thrive under his watch as Home Minister.
“I am the Home Minister. They will not thrive. Don’t worry,” he said.
Referring to an event that was shifted to another venue following objections, Kharge said the programme eventually went ahead elsewhere but criticised those who attempted to disrupt it.
“The show went on in another venue, but these fringe elements are raising the red flags. That will not be tolerated,” he said.
Kharge’s comments come amid scrutiny over the functioning of the police, particularly following the High Court’s observations regarding repeated arrests by Whitefield police. The government has maintained that while lawful activities will be protected, actions that violate the law will be dealt with in accordance with due process.
It can be recalled that the Karnataka High Court on Saturday strongly questioned the conduct of Whitefield Police in connection with the alleged detention of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti convenor Mohan Gowda, asking why the police brought him from Udupi when he had been served a notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS to appear before the police after three days.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna also took exception to the police station’s handling of CCTV footage and its explanation that power fluctuations had affected the system, sarcastically suggesting that Whitefield Police Station be renamed “Darkfield Police Station”.
Justice Nagaprasanna has also said, “A constable registers a complaint. All of you travel to Udupi to get the person, the so-called accused, for what? For what, sir? Who is giving you instructions?” Justice Nagaprasanna asked.
The bench also said this action could be because ‘someone’s ego was hurt’.
At one point, the judge warned that a departmental inquiry could be ordered and that an adverse entry could be made in the concerned officer’s service record.
“You cannot take the liberty of citizens for granted just because you are in a uniform,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.
The judge further observed, “You may escape anybody’s eyes, but when it comes to the eyes of the court, you cannot escape.”
“This has become-the police themselves have to be policed now. What a state!” he remarked.
–IANS
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