'As an Advocate I know What to do and What Not...'
Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Aug 18: People who hold power and positions often misuse it and Labour Minister of Karnataka Bache Gowda who is caught with his foot in the mouth for having assaulted Sadashivanagar-based businessman Bharat a few days ago, is a classic example of how politicians try to show their muscle power with ordinary people. No one had expected a senior politician of the stature of Bache Gowda to resort to hooliganism on the simple pretext of an ordinary citizen overtaking his vehicle. Though Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has tendered apology on behalf of the Minister for this unfortunate incident, minister Bache Gowda has been has been at his arrogant best in coming out with statements which exemplify that power has gone to his head.
When press people had contacted Bache Gowda for his reaction he seems to have answered in the same arrogant attitude. “As an advocate I know what to do and what not to do. I will not apologize to someone who had the audacity to overtake my vehicle and who refuses to show minimum courtesy to a minister. Even if the Chief Minister asks me to apologize I will not oblige”, he thundered expressing no remorse for the unfortunate episode. Not done with that Bache Gowda seems to have said he can never be a silent spectator when someone tries to overtake his vehicle. “I will not oblige with apology to any one. I cannot withstand if people do not show respect due to a minister. This is the way I am”, he defended his unsavory act.
On the contrary, he wanted Bharat to apologize to him saying he showed disrespect to his age and position as minister by overtaking his vehicle repeatedly. Bharat was drunk and was driving recklessly. He should have been subjected to medical test and action should have been taken against him for his unruly behavior, he contended.
What actually transpired between the two parties is known only to them and to the people who witnessed the entire drama on the road. But taking to task an ordinary man just because he tried to overtake the minister’s vehicle is nothing but height of misuse of power and haughtiness. There is no rule either in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 or any other act that prevents people from overtaking minister’s convoys except may be that of the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister and when foreign heads of states and dignitaries, which is done mainly for security reasons. In such cases precautions are taken well in advance and enlightened citizens will not come in the way of such arrangements. But expecting people not to overtake a minister’s vehicle smacks of obduracy, arrogance, selfishness and is a way of creating self importance.
As an advocate Bache Gowda should have known that Bharath cannot be faltered for overtaking a minister’s vehicle. He also should know that respect should be commanded and not demanded. Bache Gowda claims that Bharat was drunk and was over speeding/driving recklessly. Whether he was drunk or he misbehaved is immaterial here. If a complaint was lodged to this effect, the RTO or police would have taken necessary action. But he cannot take law in his hands just because he is a minister. Imagine what would happen if everyone tries to take law in their hands whenever there is a dispute? There would nothing but jungle raaj everywhere. We cannot call ourselves a democracy or as civilized people if law of jungle prevails everywhere.
That the minister tried to wield his ministerial powers and pick up an altercation with an ordinary person, assault him and again register a complaint, shows how a minister and those at the helm of power misuse their position, money and muscle power. That the minister failed to show concern to Bharat’s aged father-in-law, wife and children who were travelling with him, only shows Bache Gowda in very poor light.
Needless to say Bache Gowda’s arrogance and rude behavior has shocked the people of the state who are unable to comprehend how a senior politicians like him could stoop to such low levels and assault a person on flimsy pretexts. Bharat might have answered arrogantly when his gunmen and driver confronted him for overtaking his vehicle. But being a minister does not give him the right to assault ordinary people. The general public has realized this and now there is a war cry for his resignation which is slowly but steadily gaining momentum. Many opposition leaders, writers, social workers and leading citizens of the state have expressed concern over the fracas between a minister and an ordinary citizen.
There is an oft-repeated phrase which says “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” and it is true very much in a country like India where politicians and Ministers flaunt their powers unabashedly. During elections all these political leaders seek votes saying they want to serve the people of the state. After their elections and subsequently on becoming Ministers they want the general public to be subservient to them and cannot tolerate people even overtaking their vehicles as this incident has demonstrated. This is what even Bache Gowda expected from Bharat and unfortunately for him the incident took an ugly turn and the matter came into the open. Just because he is a minister it does not mean he is entitled to special privileges even on public roads. Bache Gowda is guilty of misusing his position and mistreating an ordinary citizen.
It is believed that Bharat Gowda is a relative of former state BJP President D V Sadananda Gowda. This has given a new twist to the entire saga with many ifs and buts. But that cannot condone the sacrilege committed by Bache Gowda while holding a responsible position of minister. This incident should serve as an eye opener to other ministers, so that they don’t exhibit their highhandedness with the public in future.