Shivamogga, Nov 5 (DHNS): The JMFC second court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to district BJP general secretary S N Channabasappa who threatened to behead Chief Minister Siddaramaiah if he ate beef in Shivamogga.

The saffron party functionary made the remarks during a protest rally in the city on November 2.

Judge Jayaprakash warned Channabasappa not to make such provocative statements in the future. The court also directed him to co-operate with the police in the investigation and furnish a personal bond of Rs 25,000.

Advocate Raghavendra argued on the BJP functionary’s behalf. Public prosecutor Deepak objected to his bail.

Scores of BJP workers gathered outside the court complex to greet Channabasappa.

‘Case against CM’

Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath on Wednesday said the BJP would lodge a complaint against Siddaramaiah and Congress leader L R Shivarame Gowda on Thursday in Shivamogga.

Speaking to media persons, he said Siddaramaiah had hurt the sentiments of the majority community while trying to appease the minorities. A private complaint will be lodged against him, he said, adding that a separate complaint would be lodged against Gowda for threatening to behead Channabasappa, during a live interactive programme telecast by a private news channel.

“Gowda has been accused of involvement in a journalist’s murder case. So, there is a threat to the life of Channabasappa. If anything happens to him, Gowda will be held responsible,” Manjunath said.

However, he said the party disowned the statement of Channabasappa. “It is not our political culture. It is his personal view.”

What does BJP have to say about 'beheading' remark, asks Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday took on the BJP over one of its leaders’ threat to “behead” him if he dared consume beef in Shivamogga.

“They want to behead me and play football with my head. Should such statements be accepted? What does the BJP have to say,” asked Siddaramaiah, replying to queries from reporters on the sidelines of an event in Bengaluru.

Siddaramaiah trained his guns on the BJP. “Their only agenda is to play the communal card to secure votes. They want to divide the society on communal lines. Dalit children are being burnt in BJP-ruled Haryana. We are not instigating them. Can such things be accepted,” Siddaramaiah demanded.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy demanded that the BJP and the Congress end the “charade” on beef consumption and focus on issues like farmers’ plight.

Attacking the BJP and its leaders for their take on beef, Kumaraswamy demanded that they impress upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stop beef exports worth Rs 26,000 crore annually.

Targeting Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy said it was not the “job” of the chief minister to discuss or debate on his food habits.

“More than 650 farmers have committed suicide in the State and the numbers continue to grow. Instead of debating eating beef and pork and the so-called growing intolerance, the chief minister should address the plight of farmers,” said the former chief minister.