BENGALURU: After the Governors of two non-BJP ruled States—Kerala and Tamil Nadu—refused to read out the draft speeches prepared by their respective State governments, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot became the third to follow suit. He read only two lines instead of the 43 page address to the joint legislature session that commenced on January 22 and walked out even before the national anthem was played, triggering noisy protests by the ruling Congress members.
Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad tried to block the Governor’s path as he was leaving and insisted that he read the complete speech. However, marshals intervened and forcibly escorted the MLC out of the House, during which his kurta was torn in the pushing and shoving.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Governor’s action was totally unconstitutional and accused Governor Gehlot of acting as a puppet of the Union Government, recalling that the same Governor had read the entire speech prepared by his government in 2025. Siddaramaiah added that the State was considering approaching the Supreme Court on the issue. State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil alleged that Governor Gehlot had insulted the national anthem by leaving before it was played.
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP legislators accused the Congress of misusing the House to foster resentment against the Union Government and defended the Governor’s actions. While Congress legislators protested by shouting slogans against the Governor, BJP MLAs and MLCs shouted “Bharat Mata Ki jai”.
The Karnataka BJP demanded a ruling from Speaker U.T. Khader on a letter submitted by the party regarding the alleged disrespect shown by ruling Congress legislators to the Governor after he declined to read out the speech prepared by the State government. BJP leaders also urged the Speaker to suspend Congress legislators, including Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, along with B.K. Hariprasad.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, raised the issue in the House on Friday and reminded Speaker Khader about the letter. “Mr Speaker, we have submitted a letter to you in this regard. You had stated that you would give a ruling today. The Chief Minister and others respectfully welcomed the Governor when he arrived, but the same respect was not shown when he exited,” Ashoka said.
Speaker Khader stated that this was not true. Ashoka countered that he personally witnessed the events and that the Speaker himself could verify the available video footage. “Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad has stated that his clothes were torn. Is this not a serious matter? Who tore the clothes of a senior Congress leader? Who will take responsibility?” Ashoka asked. He said the time had come for action to be taken against those who disrespected the Governor. “When are you suspending them? Earlier, you suspended 18 BJP MLAs for six months over alleged misbehaviour, even though you did not have the power to order suspension for such a long period,” Ashoka said.
