Ramanath Rai case: Minister's bid to prove secular credentials boomerangs
MANGALURU: Forest minister B Ramanath Rai’s attempt to prove his secular credentials by asking Superintendent of Police, Bhushan G Borase, to initiate stringent action against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat boomeranged after a video clipping of his conversation with the police officer went viral on Sunday.
Sources in Congress said though Mr Rai projected himself as a secular leader, a section of Muslims were angry with the minister in the wake of some recent incidents, including the alleged police atrocity on Khureshi, lathi charge on PFI protestors, and failure to arrest all accused in the Abdul Jaleel murder.
Things got worse after the recent Kalladka incident where Muslims were allegedly harassed by the police. They were also angry with Mr Rai for not taking action against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. The upshot: Messages were making rounds in social media to oppose the Iftaar party hosted Mr Ramanath Rai. “Close associates of Mr Ramanath Rai had brought to his notice the ire of Muslims. So, Mr Ramanath Rai invited the Superintendent of Police to Inspection Bungalow, where in the presence of Muslim leaders, he asked the officer to take action against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. This was his effort to show that he was supporting Muslims and was taking action against Prabhakar Bhat. That is the reason he spoke to the SP in the presence of the community leaders. But this turned counterproductive after somebody who recorded the meeting spread it on social media," remarked a Congress leader, adding “The video clipping must have been recorded by some Congress worker to prove that Mr Ramanath Rai was a secular leader and was serious about taking action against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, but it landed in wrong hands and made it to the social media.”
He said, “This video clip will definitely prove dear for the Congress. Hindu supporters of Congress now feel that Mr Rai is appeasing Muslims. The Kalladka incident was the result of a fight between two individuals and there’s no role of Mr Prabhakar Bhat. He never made any inflammatory speech. How can a district incharge minister ask the SP to book a case against Mr Prabhakar Bhat? He has also asked the SP to book charges under Section 307 which is attempt to murder. All leaders, including Mr Ramanath Rai, were silent when a case was booked against Mr Prabhakar Bhat, and warrant issued against him. Now, Mr Ramanath Rai wants the police to arrest Mr Prabhakar Bhat. On what charges can the police arrest him?" he added.
