Bengaluru, Aug 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge's remark on the ongoing protest by police constable recruitment aspirants triggered a political controversy on Monday, with the BJP accusing him of displaying arrogance and insensitivity towards unemployed youth and demanding an apology.
The video of Kharge making the statement went viral on social media on Monday, triggering criticism.
Responding to questions over the protest by police constable recruitment candidates over the conduct of exams, Kharge defended the police action, saying the government had a responsibility not only towards the protesters but also towards candidates appearing for the examinations.
"What do you expect us to do? Our responsibility is for them and also for people who are writing exams, right? Quite naturally we had to take a few people into custody," he said.
In a remark over demand by the aspirants for his resignation that sparked the controversy, the Home Minister said: "I will resign. Let them go on a hunger strike for 25 days. Then, if they don't control, we will lathi-charge them, and then we will resign."
The statement drew sharp criticism from the BJP, with Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka alleging that the Minister's comments reflected arrogance and disregard for the concerns of job aspirants.
In a statement, Ashoka said Kharge's remark clearly exposed his indifference towards unemployed youth.
Addressing the Home Minister, Ashoka said the candidates appearing for the police constable recruitment examination had earned the opportunity through their own hard work, dedication and aspirations, and not because of family influence.
"Those who have inherited power may not understand their pain," he said.
Ashoka demanded that Kharge apologise to the lakhs of job aspirants in the state for hurting their sentiments and immediately resign, taking moral responsibility.
The Karnataka BJP also attacked the Home Minister through a post on social media titled, "Let them go on hunger strike for 25 days... Then I'll resign."
The party alleged that Kharge's remarks mocked the plight of recruitment aspirants and exposed what it termed the Congress party's "double standards."
"The Congress that sermonises on students' rights while in the Opposition is the very same Congress threatening recruitment aspirants with lathis and lockups in Karnataka when in power," it said.
Source: IANS
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