Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah orders legal action against IAF officer

A day after the video footage of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer alleging that he was assaulted in Bengaluru on the pretext of language, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday (April 22) has ordered the police to initiate appropriate legal action against the IAF officer.

The incident snowballed into a language debate with the IAF officer Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose alleging that a biker identified as Vikas Kumar abused him in Kannada. However, the police later stated that it was a case of road rage and had nothing to do with language.

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister in a lengthy social media post accused the IAF officer of making baseless allegations against Karnataka and Kannadigas.

Also Read: In twist in Bengaluru's road rage case, IAF officer now booked for assault

'Kannadigas are not fanatics'

“Kannadigas are people who are proud of their mother tongue, not fanatics. It is not the smallness of Kannadigas to attack or abuse others regardless of the issue of language,” the Chief Minister posted on X in Kannada.

“It is truly regrettable that the national media, forgetting their responsibility and profession, has done the work of tarnishing the dignity of entire Karnataka by taking up a baseless allegation made by someone. This has hurt the mind of every Kannadiga,” he added.

'Don't take law into your hands'

The Chief Minister urged Kannadigas not to take the law into their own hands and assured them that the government had already instructed the police commissioner to take legal action.

“I have ordered the Police Commissioner to take appropriate legal action against the guilty, whoever they may be, and whatever their position, in connection with yesterday's incident. The state government has taken the matter very seriously and is committed to providing justice to the wronged person,” he said.

Also Read: IAF officer assaulted, wife abused on Bengaluru road

The incident comes at a time when the language debate in Karnataka is intensifying with several pro-Kannada groups demanding that Kannada be prioritised over Hindi and English.

The IAF officer had earlier alleged in a video, showing blood on his face and neck, that the biker suddenly stopped near their car when he was on the way to the airport with his wife Squadron Leader Madhumita Bose. He alleged that the biker started abusing them after seeing a DRDO sticker on his car. However, CCTV footage obtained by the police showed both exchanging blows. Both sides have filed police complaints against each other.