Karnataka BJP seeks probe into crackdown on Ramdev; adopts resolution in the Assembly

Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa addressing the press after garlanding the statue of Devaraj Urs at Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore on the occation of later's death anniversary, along with Urs Daughter Bharathi Urs and Cabinet colleagues. Photo: K. Gopinathan

The BJP government in Karnataka today adopted a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, strongly condemning the police action against Baba Ramdev and sought a high-level enquiry into it.

The resolution, moved by Minister for Labour and Sericulture B N Bache Gowda, termed the crackdown as “heinous” and said it hurt the sentiments of people.

Ramdev is the “voice” of people against corruption, it said, adding that the House “severely condemns the action against him and seeks a high-level enquiry.”

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the Centre should accept and respect the issues raised by Anna Hazare and Ramdev. “Ramdev has the support of the entire nation.”

BJP state unit President and MLA K S Eshwarappa described the incident at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi as a “black day for the country”. He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi should tender a public apology for it.

Independent MLA P M Narendra Swamy and BJP’s C T Ravi, who also spoke on the resolution, severely criticised the crackdown.

Opposition benches were vacant as both Congress and JDS boycotted the session. While JDS has stayed away from the beginning of the session on June 2, the Congress kept off proceedings from last Friday.

Both have been demanding resignation of the chief minister and Speaker K G Bopaiah, contending that the Supreme Court had passed strictures in the case of disqualification of 16 MLAs by the Speaker.