A controversy is snowballing in Karnataka over the resignation of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) N.V. Baramani, who cited public humiliation by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as the reason for seeking voluntary retirement. The issue has sparked intense political and public scrutiny, especially after the Chief Minister lashed out at a journalist who raised the question during a press interaction.
The spark was reignited after a reporter questioned Siddaramaiah about Baramani’s resignation during a post-Cabinet media briefing at Nandi Hills on Thursday. Reacting sharply, Siddaramaiah asked, “Are you from the BJP? When they are staying quiet, why are you raising all these questions?” The visibly irritated Chief Minister refused to elaborate further.
ASP Baramani had submitted his resignation to the state’s Home Secretary on June 14, claiming that Siddaramaiah shouted at him during a Congress rally in Belagavi in April and even raised his hand as if to strike him. Though the slap never landed, the officer said the incident left him deeply humiliated in public and caused emotional distress to both him and his family.
Baramani’s resignation letter stated that the public outburst and gesture of aggression in the presence of senior ministers and party workers were “insulting and demoralising.” Since then, there has been mounting criticism of the Chief Minister’s conduct, with questions raised about respect for civil servants and the political culture within the ruling party.
On Thursday, Home Minister G. Parameshwara attempted to downplay the issue, saying, “There’s nothing like that. I have spoken to him. We will give him a posting. It was just a heat-of-the-moment reaction. Even Minister H.K. Patil and I have spoken to him. We are persuading him to stay.”
Minister M.B. Patil, who was present at the event, defended Siddaramaiah by saying the CM had only “warned” the officer and did not intend to slap him. “I was an eyewitness. Saying that he went to slap him is wrong,” he stated.
Despite these clarifications, the government has not yet accepted Baramani’s resignation. Sources indicate that top ministers, including Siddaramaiah himself, have met or contacted the officer in a bid to de-escalate the situation.
However, the backlash continues to grow, with critics accusing the Congress government of attempting to suppress an officer's legitimate grievance. The opposition BJP is expected to raise the issue in the coming Assembly session.
