A fresh controversy has erupted in Karnataka after a complaint was filed with the Lokayukta against State Minister KM Shivalingegowda for his comments on government officials.
The complaint comes after widespread criticism and public debate over a minister's remarks at a public event in Hassan district. The issue has now taken a legal and political turn, with social activists demanding accountability and action against the minister.
The complaint was made to the Mysuru-based Voice of People. The group's chief, Vasanth Rao Chouhan, said the minister's comments could be interpreted as encouraging people to pay money to government officials in exchange for services. If it is a sitting minister who makes such comments, Chouhan said, that is a bad message to the public and does not help in making governance transparent and fair. He said a minister with constitutional responsibilities should not be making comments that he or she believes justify or normalise corrupt behaviour.
The controversy started after KM Shivalingegowda’s speech at a Prajaseve Andolana meeting in Sakleshpur Tahsildar’s office in Hassan district. Speaking to the crowd, he said it is the “duty” of people to give something respectfully to officials who complete their work. But he also said that demanding money from people is wrong. Some people in the audience objected to such a comment and questioned why we must pay a salary to officials (even if they already get a salary from the government) for their work.
The minister later backpedalled and denied that he had encouraged bribery. Shivalingegowda told reporters that he had made a wrong comment and said he was only telling them that everyone should have a civil, just, and respectful relationship with government officials. He said he had never advocated giving bribes and that his words were taken out of context. But the issue was not where and how.
As Vasanth Rao Chouhan has called for Shivalingegowda to step down as Minister of Industry and Commerce, he says, because those kinds of comments are not the behaviour of a public figure. He also stated that the minister should apologise and explain the whole thing so that people don't get confused. Chouhan also said that he would make one more complaint to the Governor on the issue. The Voice of People will also organise a social media campaign to raise the issue and have a national discussion.
The controversy has generated a discussion among people in Karnataka on the perception of corruption in government and the interaction of the people with government officials in the state. Many of the minister's supporters say his comments were meant to make the public feel respect and gratitude rather than money, but others think public officials should not make statements that could be interpreted as endorsing unofficial payments.
Now the complaint has been placed before the Lokayukta; more will surely follow. The incident has once again made ethics, accountability, and public trust in government institutions a major topic of debate in Karnataka.
