Karnataka Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and BJP MLC CT Ravi | File photo
Belagavi, December 24: Karnataka Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Tuesday dared BJP MLC CT Ravi to swear before Lord Manjunatheshwara at Dharmasthala that he had not used “derogatory words” against her in the Legislative Council.
Speaking to the media in Belagavi, Minister Hebbalkar said, “Let Ravi come to Dharmasthala. Let him swear there before the god that he has not used the word.”
“I entered politics after much struggle. I did not make my political career by using the name of God and creating unrest in the society. CT Ravi, you trust God right? Come to Dharmasthala. I will be present with my family. You You will also have to come with your family and make a vow before the god and declare that you have not used the word in the council,” she said.
“Ravi must say before the god that he has not insulted any woman. I will be there with my family,” she reiterated. “This is not a challenge, I don’t want an answer from him. I don’t want an answer from a man with an evil mentality. However, Ravi and BJP leaders are misleading their workers and leaders,” she accused.
“Do you believe in God much? Dharmasthala is very close to your birthplace. The entire country worships Dharmasthala. You (Ravi) swear on God Manjunatha. If you have any morals, call me and come,” Minister Hebbalkar said.
The row broke out on December 19 during a heated debate in the Karnataka Legislative Council. CT Ravi reportedly called Rahul Gandhi, MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, a “drug addict”.
This provoked strong reactions, with Minister Hebbalkar calling Ravi a “murderer”. Ravi reportedly responded with an obscene comment aimed at Hebbalkar.
The alleged comment led to Ravi’s arrest on charges of using derogatory language against Hebbalkar. However, following a Supreme Court directive, Ravi was released.
The Congress government has transferred the case to the Special Investigation Department (CID) even as Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti said the case is a closed chapter and police interference is unacceptable. The popular belief is that whoever lies before Lord Manjunatheshwara in Dharmasthala will lose everything.
(Disclaimer: With the exception of the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ editors and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)