'There Will Be Action & Reaction When Sentiments Hurt': Karnataka CM Says On Rise In Moral Policing, Faces Flak

CM Basavaraj Bommai's statement comes at a time when there is a surge in cases of moral policing in Karnataka

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai. (File photo)

Chennai: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai once again invited criticism for his statement on Wednesday as he appeared to justify moral policing.

Asked about issues pertaining to moral policing incidents in the state, Bommai told reporters in Mangaluru: "When sentiments are hurt, it is natural that there are actions and reactions. Even youth should keep these sentiments in mind and act accordingly."

The CM's comments come at a time when there is a surge in the cases of moral policing in Karnataka. In the last two weeks, four such incidents have made headlines as clashes broke out between groups due to moral policing, leading to communal tension.

Reacting to Bommai's statement, opposition leader and former CM Siddaramaiah took to Twitter to criticise him. In a thread of five tweets, he said that the state government is trying to protect anti-social elements, which would lead to more attacks on women who have been targetted "in the name of moral policing".

Innocent Women are being targeted in the name of Moral policing. The government is trying to protect anti-social elements instead of putting them behind bars.

Appeasing RSS may be necessary to save your position, but you should not stoop to this low, Mr @BSBommai#MoralPolicing

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 13, 2021

A Twitter banter followed as Siddaramaiah asked in one of his posts if Bommai was "planning to establish Jungle Raj". The CM said it was a "jungle raj" during Siddaramaiah's tenure when "Hindus were killed on supari". 

"Jungle Raj was when you were blind, deaf and dumb to the killings of Hindus under your tenure, in my administration, it’s the law which takes the action while in yours it was jungle raj hence Hindus were killed on supari and many riots took place", he posted.

Jungle Raj was when you were blind , deaf and dumb to the killings of Hindus under your tenure, in my administration, it’s the law which takes the action while in yours it was jungle raj hence Hindus were killed on supari and many riots took place.

— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) October 13, 2021

He also called Siddaramaiah "the icon of anti-Hindus". 

While you were the CM You became the icon of anti Hindus by getting killed Hindu activists as Tippu Sultan did in his regime, I need not learn administration or policing from you, we have an able police force to tackle the law and order which was sitting Ducks under ur government

— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) October 13, 2021

35 Human Rights Activists, Organisations Condemn CM's Comments  

Meanwhile, 35 human rights activists and organisations have issued a joint statement condemning the CM's comments on moral policing and posed 10 questions to him to answer.

According to a report in India Today, their statement reads: "Your statement that social morality is being protected is not an innocent message. it sends out a dangerous message that as far as you are concerned, it is ok to use violence to enforce what some people see as 'morality'.

An Indian National Congress member, in this context, referred to Article 21 of the Constitution: "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life and personal liberty except according to procedure established by law."