An FIR has been registered in Bengaluru against Karnataka Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao for his “chappal” remark against Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.
The FIR was registered on Monday at the High Grounds Police Station under IPC Section 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) based on a complaint by Bengaluru resident Dr B Ramachari. The complainant said that the speech was “provocative” and “inciting” in nature.
On April 14, during a candlelight march protesting against the incidents of rape at Unnao and Kathua, Rao said, “PM Modi should sack Yogi Adityanath as he is not a Yogi but a 'dhongi'. If he comes next time to Karnataka, he should be beaten with your slippers. Drive him out.”
“Please take a look at UP CM Adityanath’s criminal record. I wonder how many Yogis and Saints have his track record. Should we still call him a Yogi? And why are you insulting our revered true saints of Karnataka & India by comparing them to Adityanath,” he had said.
The statements made by the Congress veteran angered the BJP, who immediately sought an apology.
Rao apologised for his choice of words the day after the incident took place. He claimed that he had uttered those words in a burst of emotion.
My reaction to the Adityanath controversy. It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the raped victims and the complete apathy by Adityanath govt. I regret if it’s offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue. https://t.co/LA3hNBxHiF
— Dinesh Gundu Rao (@dineshgrao) April 15, 2018
Mysuru-Kodagu MP BJP’s Pratap Simha attacked Rao over the statement, and also warned him of a befitting reply with regard to similar statements in the future.
The BJP’s official Twitter handle had said:
“Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints.
What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals?
Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!”
Mr Rao, your love for Muslims must not translate to hatred for Hindu saints.
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 14, 2018
What were you thinking when you said Yogi Adityanath must be beaten with chappals?
Hindu-Vokkaligas of K'taka hold him in high regard. You have insulted the entire community with your heinous comments!
“Dinesh Gundu Rao's choice of words to address Yogi Adityanath ji has appalled me. Utter disrespect to a CM & a revered Natha family saint. The millions of Natha Panth followers of Karnataka will never forgive this. I sympathise with you and your party’s culture,” Karnataka’s BJP President Yeddyurappa had said.
Dinesh Gundu Rao's choice of words to address Yogi Adityanath ji has appalled me. Utter disrespect to a CM & a revered Natha family saint. The millions of Natha Panth followers of Karnataka will never forgive this. I sympathise with you and your party’s culture. #apologizetoYogi pic.twitter.com/IifMq7dD7D
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) April 14, 2018