A BJP delegation with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in Bengaluru on Monday.
| Photo Credit: special arrangement
A delegation of BJP senior leaders on Monday petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking his intervention into what they called “alarming deterioration of law and order in the State and the growing criminalisation as well as politicisation of the police force”.
The delegation that comprised Leaders of the Opposition in both the legislature Houses R. Ashok and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy among others urged the Governor to take immediate steps to address the breakdown of law and order and the alleged rampant corruption within the police department.
Cases against police
Pointing out that 236 policemen have been suspended for criminal activities, and 42 police personnel are facing criminal cases, the BJP delegation maintained that these were not isolated incidents. “They are a pointer to a systemic failure of discipline, supervision, and accountability,” it alleged and said such revelations had shaken public confidence in the police department.
The delegation further alleged, “Under the pretext of abusive social media posts or participation in protests against failures of the State government, cases are being indiscriminately booked against Opposition workers, clearly aimed at harassment, intimidation, and silencing dissenting voices. As a result, freedom of speech and freedom of political activity are under serious threat in Karnataka, which is wholly contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.”
The BJP delegation alleged that the ongoing “musical chair” politics surrounding the Chief Minister’s post had severely compromised governance and administrative stability.
Ballari violence
The BJP delegation also sought the Governor’s intervention with respect to the handling of the Ballari violence episode in which a Congress worker died in firing in the clash in front of MLA G. Janardhana Reddy’s house.
Alleging that there was a serious threat to Mr. Reddy’s life, the BJP leaders appealed to the Governor to direct the State government to seek a probe by the CBI into the entire episode.
Hate speech Bill
The BJP leader also appealed to the Governor to withhold his assent to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill or reserve it under Article 200 to uphold constitutional supremacy, federalism and democratic pluralism.
In the petition, the BJP termed the Bill as a “weapon to silence constructive criticism, dissent and any criticism against the ruling party.”
Published – January 12, 2026 10:42 pm IST
