Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 26: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has refused to apologise over his “shoot mercilessly” remark, which went viral on Monday.

The CM had said the controversial remark in a telephonic conversation, while reacting to murder of JD(S) worker Prakash, who was allegedly hacked to death by four men in Maddur town on Monday evening.

While the BJP claimed Kumaraswamy as ‘irresponsible’ for his comments and demanded an apology, the CM defended that he was an ‘emotional’ person. "Even if a single citizen is in trouble, I will involve myself...that issue is over according to me, that is why I said instead of an encounter, I said smoke them out... that is my final word,” he told reporters.

When questioned about BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa’s demand for apology, Kumaraswamy snapped back asking “why should i apologise?”

He hit back at BJP leaders by questioning about an incident where two farmers were allegedly shot dead by police during Yeddyurappa's tenure as CM, asking "was it not a big issue?"

Meanwhile, human rights activist T Narasimha Murthy has petitioned the State Human Rights Commission, terming the chief minister's remarks as a "clear violation" of human rights.

He urged the commission “to examine the implications and impact of such emotional remarks on the police, judiciary and public," and to issue appropriate direction to Kumaraswamy.