BENGALURU: Home minister Dr G. Parameshwar has evidently rebuffed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on violence witnessed in Madikeri on November 10 during celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan.
In a detailed statement in the upper House on Friday, Dr Parameshwar shared details about incidents in Madikeri wherein a large number of Muslims from Kerala came over to participate in Tipu Jayanti. Though Dr Parameshwar did not say that Muslims were involved in violence, however, his statement virtually dismissed claims made by Mr Siddaramaiah that none came from Kerala on that day and violence witnessed that day was the handiwork of Hindutva organisations. Mr Siddaramaiah had virtually given clean chit to Muslims who allegedly chased VHP leader Kuttappa. The leader later died of head injury while jumping off a 15-ft compound wall.
Sources in police department concurred with the home minister and maintained that they had picked up miscreants belonging to both communities based on CCTV footage.
District in charge minister. Dinesh Gundurao, however, said the Chief Minister did not make such statement. “We are in the right direction with respect to investigation. As far as I know, the Chief Minister did not make any statement to influence investigation. There was tremendous pressure from Muslim organisations not to arrest those whom police suspected. But, we are very clear. Those who could be identified through CCTV cameras were rounded up for further investigation. Two, Kuttappa’s death was recorded as murder. This clearly shows that we are not under pressure or Chief Minister influenced the investigation,” the minister added.
Soon after taking over as home minister, Dr Parameshwar gave an indication of his style of functioning. Without dismissing or initiating any action against Mr Kempaiah who would call the shots when Mr K.J. George was home minister, Dr Parameshwar said he did not need any advisors. When checked with the home department, Mr Kempaiah was not consulted by Dr Parameshwar on any issue ever since he took over.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
