Months after chief minister Siddaramaiah publicly humiliated him with a slap gesture during a rally in Belagavi, Karnataka ASP NV Baramani has opted for voluntary retirement. Baramani, in a letter dated June 12, said that he was "submitting voluntary retirement due to humiliation by the chief minister."
The senior officer, who began his career in the police force as a sub-inspector in 1994, said the incident shattered his self-respect and lowered his morale. What hurt him even more, he added, was the silence that followed. “Neither the Chief Minister nor any senior officer contacted me to offer support or reassurance. I was left to deal with the humiliation alone as the incident played out on television for two straight days,” he said.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had snapped at the police officer during a Congress rally today. The Chief Minister lost his cool and nearly slapped the Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) after he was shown black flags allegedly by BJP workers at the rally in Belagavi.
Standing on a stage, flanked by Congress leaders and workers, Siddaramaiah was seen calling the officer. The furious leader asked him how people were allowed to protest and wave black flags inside the rally venue. "Hey, come here, who's the SP? What are you guys doing?" the veteran Congress leader was heard saying before the audio became unclear.
Siddaramaiah's action has drawn a lot of ire from his political opponents. "Power is not permanent," warned Janata Dal Secular or JDS, in a post on X. "Raising your hand to hit the police officer does not bring any glory to your position or dignity. Your term of office is only 5 years. But a government officer serves till the age of 60. Power is not permanent for anyone. Correct your misconduct," read the post.
The officer’s decision has triggered sharp political reactions. While there have been rumours suggesting Baramani may be eyeing a political career and could be a BJP ticket aspirant from either Belagavi North or Belagavi Rural Assembly segment, he has firmly denied any such intentions.
Meanwhile, the BJP has come out in open support of the officer. State party president B.Y. Vijayendra took to social media to express solidarity and urged Baramani to reconsider his decision. “We, along with the people of Karnataka, stand by you. Don’t let injustice push you out of public service,” he posted.
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