Uproar in state's Upper House over BJP MLC's derogatory jibe

The Karnataka legislative council witnessed high drama on Thursday after Congress leaders accused BJP MLC and former minister CT Ravi of using derogatory language against minister for women and child Development Laxmi Hebbalkar.

- Arun Dev

BENGALURU: The incident sparked protests both inside and outside the council, with Hebbalkar's supporters attempting to storm the legislative hall and even charged against the MLC.

The uproar began during zero hour as Congress MLCs protested against Union home minister Amit Shah's recent remarks about BR Ambedkar in Parliament. Amid the commotion, Ravi reportedly made a comment about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, triggering a sharp response from Hebbalkar. Allegedly, Ravi retaliated by hurling an offensive slur at her, which prompted Hebbalkar to leave the House.

Congress MLC Nagaraj Yadav alleged that Ravi used abusive language repeatedly. "BJP leaders called Rahul Gandhi a drug addict, and Hebbalkar objected to this. She accused him of being 'a murderer who had killed two people,' at which CT Ravi abused her and directed at her a derogatory word. "She told me, (MLCs) BK Hariprasad, Yathindra, and others that he called her that 10 times," Yadav told the media.

The accusations against Ravi surfaced against the backdrop of an earlier controversy. In February 2019, two individuals were killed in a car accident involving his vehicle in Kunigal, Tumakuru district. This incident was referenced by Hebbalkar during the verbal exchange.