Cong demands BJP MLC's removal for alleged derogatory remarks on Karnataka Chief Secy

Bengaluru, Jul 3 (PTI) The state Congress on Thursday complained against BJP MLC N Ravikumar to Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti for allegedly making derogatory remarks on Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.

It also lodged a complaint against him at the Vidhana Soudha police station.

The Karnataka IAS Officers’ Association also condemned the derogatory remarks made by the MLC.

During a protest at Vidhana Soudha recently, Ravikumar, who is the opposition BJP’s chief whip, had allegedly made some remarks which the Congress termed derogatory and took it up vehemently.

A video showing him purportedly speaking against the Chief Secretary went viral.

The BJP leader rejected the allegation, saying he did not make any remarks against the Chief Secretary.

The Karnataka IAS Officers’ Association, condemning the derogatory remarks, said, "The Chief Secretary holds the highest civil office in Karnataka and is a widely respected officer known for her integrity, commitment, and distinguished public service." "The remarks made in public are not just vulgar and defamatory, but they also directly undermine the dignity of her office and the larger civil service. Such remarks not only denigrate public institutions but also erode the trust they hold," the IAS officers' Associations said.

A delegation of IAS Officers’ Association comprising Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Khushboo Goel Chowdhary and Cauvery B B met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and submitted a letter.

The association alleged that five weeks ago, Ravikumar had made similar statements against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum, questioning her nationality.

"Despite our prior appeal for corrective action, the recurrence of such behaviour reflects a disturbing pattern of targeting and vilifying public service officers," the association said.

Expressing its solidarity with both officers, the association reiterated its concern over repeated attempts to undermine the credibility of dedicated officers serving the state of Karnataka with distinction.

They demanded a public and unconditional apology from Ravikumar, immediate legal action under applicable provisions of law and formal resolution of censure in the Legislative Council.

The association reiterates that civil servants must be allowed to discharge their duties without fear, insult, or political intimidation. Upholding respect in civil service is crucial, and any statement that promotes a culture of disrespect sends the wrong message to officers working in the state, it said.

In his complaint to Horatti, the Chief Whip of the Congress in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed said, "We hereby express our strong objection and file a complaint against Ravikumar, a Member of the Legislative Council, for making defamatory, indecent and derogatory statements about Shalini Rajneesh, a senior woman IAS officer serving as the Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka." He said that such statements bring down the courage and honesty of the highest ranking civil servants of the government. This act is against the rules of the code of conduct of Parliament and tends to show disrespect to women officers.

"This statement, which is a personal insult and creates a low opinion in the society, is unbecoming of a Member of the Legislative Council and tends to diminish the respect of the Council," Ahmed said.

He requested the council chairperson to take this matter seriously and take disciplinary action against Ravikumar and "cancel his membership as per the rules and ethical guidelines of the Legislative Council." There was no immediate reaction from the Chief Secretary on this issue.

The BJP MLC said he had not made any derogatory remarks against the Chief Secretary.

"I am appalled that a remark against Chief Secretary purportedly made by me is making rounds in some section of print media and social media. Let me assert with all the forces at my command - that I have not made any derogatory remarks against the Chief Secretary," Ravikumar said in a statement issued here.

He said he had been in Hyderabad for the last three days on official work and was shocked to learn that a statement attributing to him was making rounds.

The MLC said it was alleged that he made the statement against the Chief Secretary during the demonstration in front of Gandhi statue near Vidhana Soudha. "I neither delivered the speech nor spoke to the media. So, the question of making derogatory remarks against Chief Secretary does not arise at all," Ravikumar explained.

Ravikumar challenged the Congress leaders to produce evidence against him.

Speaking to reporters, Horatti said he has written a letter to Ravikumar seeking clarification following the complaint.

"Based on his response, I will take further action. I want to make one thing clear that I don't have powers to remove him as a member," he said. PTI GMS GMS KH