Karnataka: Minister defends police action at Belagavi protest

Belagavi: The state government has justified the police department's actions, including a mild lathi charge, during the Panchamasali community’s reservation protest in Belagavi on December 10.

Speaking on the issue in the Legislative Assembly, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that the measures were necessary to maintain law and order as protesters attempted to breach barricades and storm Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.

“My remarks are limited to the events of December 10, without addressing the broader reservation demands,” he clarified.

He explained that prior to the session, Panchamasali seer Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji had called for a protest involving 5,000 tractors in Belagavi.

"Protests are everyone’s right, but bringing such a large number of tractors would have caused significant disruption. Hence, permission was denied, and alternative arrangements were made for protesters to use smaller vehicles and demonstrate at a designated location. Prohibitory orders were imposed within a 500-meter radius of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha to prevent disturbances,” he said.

The Home Minister added that the Dharwad High Court had directed authorities to allow peaceful protests while ensuring preventive measures were in place.

He said that the Chief Minister himself instructed Ministers Dr. Mahadevappa, Sudhakar, Laxmi Hebbalkar, and Venkatesh to visit the protest site, meet with Swamiji and other leaders, and invite them for talks. However, the leaders did not respond to the ministers' request and insisted that the Chief Minister personally visit the protest site. “Is it feasible for the Chief Minister to attend every protest?” Dr G Parameshwara questioned.

The Home Minister further explained that protesters attempted to storm Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, pushing past police barricades. Approximately 10,000 people tried to breach the premises simultaneously, and some protesters resorted to stone pelting, injuring 24 police personnel. “There is sufficient video evidence of these incidents,” he said.

He clarified that the police resorted to a mild lathi charge only to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order, as allowing such a large crowd to storm Suvarna Vidhana Soudha would have led to chaos adding that failure to act would have raised questions from opposition parties as well.

The Home Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding public order and ensuring peaceful protests. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands. The police acted responsibly to manage the situation,” he asserted.