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.


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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".






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.






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






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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."