Bengaluru: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has sharply criticized the Siddaramaiah-led Congress Government, questioning if it is trying to impose an Emergency-like situation in the state. This statement came after fiery orator Chakravarthy Sulibele was served a police notice, allegedly to suppress his right to free speech.
Joshi expressed anger, saying that the Congress Government has stooped to the lowest level of politics by attempting to block Sulibele from attending and speaking at an event organized by the Youth Brigade.
He accused the Siddaramaiah Government of indulging in appeasement politics from the very moment it came to power, adding that it is creating a ‘Tughlaq-style court’ by snatching away the right to free speech of writers, thinkers, and speakers in the state.
Pointing out the hypocrisy of a government that preaches ‘no politics at public events’ and yet serves police notices, Joshi called it an anti-constitutional activity.
He further stated that the Congress Government openly supports the SDPI — a political party linked to the banned PFI — and that this is an act of treason. He accused CM Siddaramaiah of reaching the highest levels of intolerance and warned that the state is being pushed towards anarchy by imposing restrictions and using threats to suppress opponents.
“Emergency is Part of the Congress DNA”
Joshi added that imposing an Emergency is nothing new for the Congress Party, referring to former PM Indira Gandhi’s imposition of the Emergency. He stated that CM Siddaramaiah is now following the same path, making it seem as if an Emergency is embedded in the DNA of the Congress.
He condemned the CM’s administration, saying that snatching away the right to free speech from writers and orators will remain a black mark on Siddaramaiah’s regime. Joshi said that registering cases against those who speak for the nation, raiding their homes in the middle of the night, threatening banishment, restricting their movement between districts, and using the police as puppets are shameful acts.
