Karnataka BJP MLA arrested for death threat to contractor, using casteist slurs

Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna was arrested in Kolar on Saturday on charges of making a death threat to a contractor and using casteist slurs against him.
Two FIRs were filed against Munirathna, an MLA from Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru, based on complaints filed by Chelvaraju, who accused the BJP leader of harassing and threatening him. They were filed in relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The first case involved issuing a death threat and four individuals, including Munirathna, were named in the FIR. The accused were — Munirathna, his aide VG Kumar, his security official Abhishek and one Vasanth Kumar. The second case charged Munirathna with casteist abuse against the contractor.
Chelvaraju had released an audio clip during a press conference, claiming that Munirathna harassed him for a bribe.
The Karnataka BJP unit issued a show cause notice to Munirathna to clear his stand within five days regarding the charges levelled against him, according to news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) has objected to the use of casteist slurs against the contractor and has planned to protest outside Munirathna’s home in Bengaluru.
Police have tightened security outside and near Munirathna’s home, installed barricades and closed some roads as precautionary measures.
Accusing Munirathna of using “low-level language”, former Congress MP DK Suresh urged the BJP to expel him as he “had insulted the Dalits”.
“He used such low-level language. He insulted the Dalit community. BJP national leaders should answer this. He had earlier also looked down on the Vokkaliga community. The BJP hasn’t reacted to the incident yet. He must have been dismissed by the BJP by now,” said DK Suresh, the brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
“In the audio, he (Munirathna) can be heard asking about the money and he has also threatened the contractor. I demand the BJP and the NDA to dismiss him immediately. He insulted the Dalit community and a mother. The BJP must also issue an apology,” he was quoted by ANI as saying.