Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, has strongly criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent proposal to introduce a new law aimed at curbing honour killings. Narayanaswamy argued that the existing legal framework in India is already robust enough to handle such heinous crimes.
Existing Laws Are Sufficient, Says Opposition Leader
Addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Saturday, Narayanaswamy stated that numerous legal provisions are currently in place to punish perpetrators involved in honour killings and similar acts of violence. He asserted there is no necessity for a fresh legislation, emphasizing that strict punishment can be ensured under the present system.
"The chief minister is trying to escape responsibility by talking about new legislation," Narayanaswamy alleged. He urged the state government to focus on effective implementation of current laws to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Accusations of Government Failure on Dalit and Women's Safety
Narayanaswamy further launched a broadside against the Congress-led state government, which has been in power for two-and-a-half years. He accused it of failing in its duty to protect Dalits and women. The opposition leader alleged misuse of funds specifically allocated for the welfare of Dalit communities and claimed the government's response to incidents of caste-based violence has been consistently delayed.
Referring specifically to the recent Inamveerapur honour killing incident, Narayanaswamy pointed out that the state's Home Minister and Social Welfare Minister visited Hubballi only after significant pressure was mounted in Bengaluru. "They should have come within 24 hours and taken action against those involved. We cannot tolerate such incidents," he stated forcefully.
Expressing deep anguish, Narayanaswamy said that at a time when the caste system was believed to be fading, such an incident was a disgrace to humanity. He condemned the killing of Manya, terming it a "demonic act," and questioned how a father could commit such violence against his own pregnant daughter.
MP Govind Karjol Joins Condemnation, Demands Action
Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol also condemned the tragic incident. He revealed that the affected family had been living in fear, yet neither the state government nor the district administration took any precautionary measures to ensure their safety.
Karjol termed the state government as anti-Dalit and stated that the Vivekananda family continues to face threats even after the tragedy. He put forth immediate demands, urging the government to:
- Shift the vulnerable family to Hubballi immediately for their safety.
- Provide a government job to the husband, Vivekananda Doddamani, to help the family achieve financial stability.
Both leaders, Narayanaswamy and Karjol, visited the residence of Manya's husband, Vivekananda Doddamani, to offer their personal condolences. They interacted with the grieving family and provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000. The leaders also visited Vivekananda's mother, who is undergoing treatment at Vivekananda Hospital in Hubballi, to enquire about her health.
The opposition's strong remarks highlight the growing political friction in Karnataka over the issue of caste-based violence and the state's perceived failure in protecting its most vulnerable citizens, setting the stage for a heated debate on governance and legal efficacy.
