Bengaluru protest scene and D K Shivakumar in separate panels. AI-assisted collage. AI Image, thebengalurulive.com
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has sought a full report on the police action involving protesters and journalists in Bengaluru on October 12, saying accountability would follow if unnecessary force or excess was found.
In his October 13 statement, Shivakumar said the government could not demand the right to peaceful protest in Delhi while denying it to others in Bengaluru. He described peaceful protest as fundamental to democracy and said Karnataka would apply the same democratic standards it expected elsewhere in the country.
Full report sought on Bengaluru police action
“I have taken note of yesterday’s incident involving protesters and members of the media. I have sought a full report on the circumstances that led to the police action. If there has been any unnecessary use of force or excess, accountability will follow,” the Chief Minister said.
His statement made any action over alleged excess conditional on what the review establishes. It did not announce findings against individual officers or name anyone facing disciplinary action.
Shivakumar said disagreement with the Election Commission, his government or him personally did not diminish anyone’s right to express their views peacefully.
“Karnataka must hold itself to the democratic standards that we expect from the rest of the country. There will be no double standards,” he said, reiterating that the right claimed in Delhi could not be denied in Bengaluru.
Earlier, Karnataka Home, e-Governance, Electronics, IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge said the handling of protesters by Bengaluru Police would be reviewed. He directed police to ensure peaceful demonstrations were not disrupted and appealed to protesters to cooperate with the authorities so that their safety and others’ rights could be protected.
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