Today, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly descended into unprecedented chaos as the Congress legislators and the security Marshals broke into a physical scuffle. The incident, which left senior Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad with torn clothes, came right after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot took a strident walkout from the joint session.
The Trigger: A Two-Line Speech
The tension began when Governor Gehlot, defying constitutional tradition, refused to read a 60-page address prepared by the Siddaramaiah Cabinet. Objecting to paragraphs critical of the Union Government’s “G RAM G” Act, the Governor read only two opening lines, setting the document aside and heading to the exit.
The Scuffle at the Exit
When the Governor stepped down from the podium and toward the door, various Congress leaders (led by B.K. Hariprasad) rushed round him and interrupted his approach. Hariprasad appeared to be waving a copy of the government-authored speech, loudly encouraging the Governor that he ought to be doing his constitutional duty to give the speech.
The Assembly Marshals prevented the legislators from blocking the Governor's path and cleared a path. In the subsequent melee, an argument became physical. Hariprasad allegedly refused to budge, and the Marshals dragged and dragged him away by force. The senior leader’s shirt was badly ripped to shreds during this hasty withdrawal.
"A Dark Day for Democracy"
Later this month a visibly shaken Hariprasad spoke to the media outside of the House, showing his damaged attire. "This is what a senior legislator is punished for requesting the Governor follow the Constitution," he said. "The Governor is being run like some kind of political agent and the Marshals are being used as bouncers to silence the voices of the people's representatives." Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar condemned the force. “The Governor’s walkout was an insult, but the manner in which the security personnel have manhandled a senior leader like Hariprasad is the latest low for our legislature,” the CM said.
Opposition Defends the Action
At the same time, the BJP-JD(S) alliance defended the Governor and the security personnel. The Opposition’s R. Ashoka said Congress leaders were “bullying” the Governor, and that the Marshals were merely doing their job and guaranteeing the safe passage of the head of the state. The session has been adjourned during the frenzy. The Congress party has also called for an unconditional apology from the Speaker's office concerning the Marshals and has indicated a motion for privilege on the part of security staff implicated.
