In a rare episode in the history of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Kiran Thakur, editor of Belgaum-based Marathi daily ‘Tarun Bharat’ was summoned to the House and reprimanded for committing breach of privilege of two legislators, Abhay Patil and Shama Bhima Ghatage, on Monday. Amid high drama, Mr Thakur who was made to stand in a make-shift dock said, “I am sorry.” When Speaker K G Bopaiah asked him to read the statement again, he said, “I regret the mistakes and assure that such mistakes will not recur.”
Earlier, an attempt to close the issue after accepting his “regret for the mistakes by oversight” statement drew flak from both the Opposition and ruling party legislators. Both Mr Bopaiah and Chief Minister Mr Jagadish Shetter felt that, in the best interest of cordial relationship between people of Karnataka and Maharashtra, it was better to close the issue. Cutting across party lines, legislators felt that the issue was handled in haste without a discussion. Leader of Opposition, Siddaramaiah, felt the issue should be dealt with in a proper manner.
Though the House was scheduled to commence proceedings at 10 AM, there was an hour-long delay as Mr Kiran Thakur was summoned to the Speaker’s chamber and told to write his statement. The move was reportedly prompted by party president Nitin Gadkari who advised both Mr Shettar and state unit president and deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa to handle the issue prudently.
The legislators, however, were on their feet and demanded that the make-shift dock, which was carted away, be brought back into the House. When Mr Thakur entered the House along with a translator, Mr Siddaramaiah demanded that the editor speak either in Kannada or English, but not in Marathi. Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Mr Thakur said the two legislators could have adopted other avenues. Reiterating that he had greatest respect for the House, Mr Thakur said he hailed from a freedom fighter's family. While Mr Abhay Patil had alleged that the daily was carrying "baseless" reports against him for the past three years, Mr Ghatage had charged it with publishing a "baseless" report against him.