Veerashaiva mahasabha condemns Ravi’s derogatory statement on Laxmi Hebbalkar

ABVM president condemns derogatory remarks against Minister, urges legal action; CM Siddaramaiah cites audio/video evidence against MLC.

Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha (ABVM) president Shamanur Shivashankarappa has strongly condemned the alleged derogatory remarks made against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar by C.T. Ravi, MLC.

Mr. Shivashankarappa, also Congress MLA, issued a statement urging the government to take necessary legal action against Mr. Ravi.

“It is clear that Mr. Ravi used abusive language towards Mrs. Hebbalkar. In Indian culture, women are given special status and respect. But Mr. Ravi has insulted her. The use of unparliamentary language is a dark spot in the history of the House. The Mahasabha strongly condemns the use of such abusive language,’‘ he said in the release.

Meanwhile, speaking in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said audio and video evidence existed to prove that Mr. Ravi used the invective against Ms. Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council on December 19.

“We are getting the matter investigated because it constitutes a criminal offense. Why is Mr. Ravi asking for judicial inquiry?” Mr. Siddaramaiah wondered. “There is audio and video evidence of him using derogatory language. Many MLCs heard him. It amounts to criminal offense, doesn’t it?”