New Delhi: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the police are awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report before proceeding with action regarding the purported pro-Pakistan slogans raised allegedly by the supporters of Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain, following his election to the Rajya Sabha, news agency PTI reported.
According to Parameshwara, a suspect has been arrested, and police have obtained voice recordings.
Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP asserted that Hussain's supporters raised pro-Pakistan slogans during celebrations following his Rajya Sabha victory on Tuesday. Videos purportedly capturing the incident circulated on television and social media platforms.
In the wake of the incident, the BJP and JD(S) have called for the dismissal of the Congress government, citing "inaction" in nabbing the alleged culprits behind the 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan. They have also accused the administration of attempting to conceal the matter. The BJP specifically demanded that Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot advocate for the government's dismissal.
Taking potshots at the BJP, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "We will release the FSL report very soon. We will take stringent action against those who are found guilty. BJP doesn't need to teach us patriotism."
Lashing out at the Opposition, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai was also the Home Minister before he assumed the chief ministerial chair and so he should be aware of the procedures that are to be followed in such cases.
“Bommai was also the Home Minister before he became the Chief Minister and he should be well aware of the processes. How come that he expects procedures to be followed in haste in our government while he sat on all the other cases? The PSI case, the corruption cases, the bitcoin case. Everybody knows where the investigation went and how it went. We are trying to do everything as scientifically as possible and as quickly as possible and we'll do it,” ANI quoted Kharge as saying.
"The FSL report is pending. We have urged for its expedited release. The videos submitted to the FSL encompass multiple sources, not limited to one channel or clip. Once the report is received, swift action will be taken," the Home Minister said.
He further said that seven people have been interrogated so far, with their statements also recorded. Additionally, voice samples have been collected for comparative analysis with those in the video clip.
"We have also arrested a suspect and collected his voice recordings. Further investigative steps will be determined upon receipt of the FSL report," Parameshwara added.