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Are these three Karnataka politicians above law?

  • In Karnataka, no action is taken against the people’s representatives who take law into their hands
  • Currently, an MLA who slapped a duty doctor has been elevated as a minister
Why are MLAs ministers taking the law into their hands roaming free

Recent incidents of several people’s representatives threatening police personnel and doctors took social media by storm. In a series of such situations, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, an MLA from North Karnataka, Vinayakulakarni, MLA from Dharwad and Ananth Kumar Hegde, MP from Uttara Kannada came under social media scanners after they were caught taking the law into their hands. Still no cases were booked against them.

 

Vijayanadand Kashappanavar, MLA from north Karnataka, was booked for slapping a policeman on duty attached to the Cubbon Park station. The policeman had objected when a restaurant was serving liquor to the MLA beyond the permissible time. The MLA had slapped the policeman for performing his duty, essentially.

 

In 2013, Dharwad MLA Vinaykulkarni had slapped a government doctor following the death of a girl at KIMS hospital in Hubballi. The girl was admitted to the hospital as she was suffering from dengue. But she did not respond to treatment and died in the hospital. The family accused the hospital of negligence. MLA Kulkarni came to the hospital as the victim's family members were his supporters and he slapped doctor Devraj Raichur, Head of Paediatric Department, without even asking the doctor for the reason behind her death.

 

Dr Devraj Raichur, who suffered the humiliation, took voluntary retirement. But the MLA is has been elevated to the position of a minister in Siddaramaiah's Cabinet. 

 

Recently in January, MP Ananth Kumar Hegde was caught on camera assaulting a doctor at a private hospital at Sirsi, Uttar Kannada district. The MP was angry as his mother was allegedly not given timely treatment.

 

"Both these politicians have set a bad example. We understand if family members create a ruckus in the hospital, following the death of their near ones. But these politicians know the rules and medical challenges, still they take the law into their hands and assault the duty doctors,” said Sudhakar, former president of Indian Medical Association, Karnataka Chapter.

 

“We have protested across the state and have submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioners and SP's demanding a suo moto case against these leaders as many doctors fear to give complaint against these unruly leaders. We will continue our fight until a lesson is taught to such political leaders through our forum," Sudhakar added.

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