Union Minister Kumaraswamy demands CBI probe into Ballari violence, says "no permission to install Valmiki statue"

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 5 (ANI): Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the violence that erupted outside the Ballari residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA G Janardhan Reddy over a dispute regarding the installation of Maharishi Valmiki posters.
Kumaraswamy asserted that the Karnataka Government had not granted permission for the installation of any Maharishi Valmiki statue, for which the posters were being erected.
Kumaraswamy, questioning the government over permission of the statue, which stemmed the poster dispute, blamed them for the Congress supporter's death.
"CBI must do the enquiry into the incident of Ballari... The reason for the incident is the Maharshi Valmiki statue installation program. Today I saw in the newspapers that the government had not given permission to install any statue. SC ordered not to install any statue, and even in the state, a law has been brought that no statue should be installed without permission," Kumaraswamy said.
He further questioned the state government's role in the incident, adding, "I'm asking the CM, if the government gives permission to install the statue on 3rd January, it's the government's responsibility to answer; if permission is not given, who went to install the statue? Everybody has respect for Maharshi Valmiki. At this time, the installation of the banner began from that moment, which ended in the murder of a Congress worker."
Kumaraswamy further targeted Congress and said, "Remember and keep it in writing. It's the last CM of Congress in Karnataka; you are the last CM of Congress. You have made the officers slaves, you say in 2028 you'll come back to power, come and show."
The incident claimed the life of Congress worker Rajashekhar, who was killed in the violent clash between supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy on Thursday over erecting posters outside of the latter's residence for the unveiling of a Maharishi Valmiki statue.
Earlier, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that the fact-finding committee headed by former state Minister HM Revanna has collected important information on Ballari violence.
He also accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Janardhana Reddy of objecting to the installation of banners for an event to install a Valmiki statue. The Deputy CM added that the state government was considering the possibility of handing over the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
"Statues are erected everywhere. Why should anyone have an issue with it? Valmiki is not limited to any one community. He belongs to all communities. Everyone reads the Ramayana written by him. It is not right for BJP MLA Janardhan Reddy to object to his banner," Shivakumar said.
Reacting to Janardhan Reddy's letter seeking Z+ security, the Deputy CM said, "Let him take Z+ security or security from the US or Iran. No one is objecting."
Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur was suspended shortly after the incident. (ANI)