Bengaluru: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of curbing freedom of expression, describing the situation in the state as an “undeclared emergency” following the alleged assault on veteran theatre personality Addanda Cariappa.
In a statement, Surya said freedom of expression was a fundamental constitutional right and not a privilege granted by the government. He questioned whether the Congress government was following the approach of the Indira Gandhi-led regime, which imposed the Emergency in 1975.
Drawing a parallel with that period, Surya said restrictions on the press during the Emergency were now being replaced by alleged attempts to silence artists. He claimed that those who assaulted Cariappa and smeared him with ink were being encouraged by the government’s actions.
The BJP MP also criticised the state police, alleging that the force was being used to protect political interests rather than uphold law and order. Those unable to counter opposing views were resorting to police power, he said.
Addressing the chief minister, Surya said democratic institutions and constitutional principles could not function at the discretion of an individual leader. He also accused the government of treating the police as a private force of the ruling party.
Surya said the people would ultimately respond to what he described as attempts to undermine constitutional values.