Media Release

Bengaluru, Mar 22: The Karnataka BJP has strongly opposed the suspension of 18 of its MLAs, questioning whether they were being treated as "terrorists or Naxalites" for raising their voice in the Assembly. The party accused speaker U T Khader of acting in favour of the Congress government and demanded the immediate revocation of the suspension order.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Bengaluru, BJP State president B Y Vijayendra, leader of opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, and leader of opposition in the Legislative council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy condemned the Speaker's action. They termed the suspension "illegal, unconstitutional, and arbitrary," asserting that it insulted not just the MLAs but also the voters who had elected them.

Vijayendra announced that the BJP would launch a statewide agitation against what it called the Congress-led government’s "Muslim appeasement policies." He revealed that protests would be organized in districts from Monday, along with an awareness campaign. The party is also considering a continuous sit-in protest inside the assembly.

Questioning the government’s move to grant reservations for minorities, Vijayendra said the BJP would challenge it both within and outside the Assembly. "Our Constitution does not permit religion-based reservations. The government is increasing financial aid for Muslim students studying abroad from Rs 20 lac to Rs 30 lac and allocating funds for self-defence training for Muslim girls. Is this fair? Are there no poor Hindus? Don’t they dream of studying abroad?" he asked.

Vijayendra further alleged that the Congress government was deliberately sidelining Hindus and making decisions to appease minorities. "The Chief Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, is allocating budget provisions that insult Hindus while promoting minority appeasement. This is an unforgivable crime," he charged.

Echoing similar sentiments, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka slammed the Speaker’s decision, calling it a "Tughlaq Darbar" and comparing it to a "Hitler-like culture." He accused the Congress of double standards, recalling past instances where party leaders had disrupted Assembly proceedings. "When Siddaramaiah was the Opposition leader, he kicked the Assembly doors. Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan even tried to attack the Speaker. Were they suspended?" he questioned.

BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy vowed to take up the issue strongly in the Legislative Council. "The suspended MLAs have even been barred from attending standing committee meetings, which is a violation of their rights as legislators," he said.

The BJP leaders reiterated their demand for revoking the suspension and vowed to intensify protests in the coming days.