‘He called me a prostitute’: Karnataka minister Laxmi Hebbalkar’s big allegation against C.T. Ravi

Former BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi is in a soup for allegedly using a derogatory word against Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Thursday. 

The incident took place when both the BJP and the Congress members were staging protests in the well of the House and shouting slogans for and against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on  Constitution framer B.R, Ambedkar in the Parliament. 

During the protest, Ravi, while defending Shah, allegedly called the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi a "drug addict".  Countering him, Hebbalkar shouted Ravi was a "murderer" and that he had run over and killed a man while driving his car. In the ensuing war of words, Ravi allegedly used the word "prostitute" multiple times.

The Upper House had been adjourned due to the chaos and Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti had departed from the House when the incident took place. Hebbalkar, along with senior Congress ministers, rushed to the chairman's chamber demanding action against Ravi. 

Horatti assured the Congress members that he would summon the BJP member and give his ruling after examining all the evidence, including the recording of the House proceedings. 

Ravi, however, has denied the allegations.

Congress MLC Yathindra said the chairman had adjourned the House and left when the members were still shouting slogans. 

"I was two rows away from Ms Hebbalkar when I heard her call  Ravi a murderer. Then, I heard Ravi call her a prostitute multiple times. I was in shock and disbelief as I did not expect legislators to use such words in the House. So, I carefully listened to what he was saying. By that time, Hebbalkar came towards us and narrated what had happened. I told her I too had heard Ravi's remarks. We approached the chairman. We are confident that suitable action will be taken against Ravi," said Yathindra. 

Congress MLC Umashree claimed the BJP legislator had used the "unconstitutional" word against a woman minister. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the minister had complained to him about the incident and he had asked her to file a complaint against the BJP legislator with the chairman and the police. 

"The minister is deeply hurt by this incident. She told me Ravi used the word 10 times. It amounts to a criminal offence. Is this not a case of sexual harassment? Our MLAs, too, told me about it. I was not in the House at that time," the CM said. 

Meanwhile, Ravi's car was attacked allegedly by Hebbalkar's supporters outside the Suvarna Soudha building in Belagavi, the home turf of the minister. At least 15 persons were detained by the police.

"I did not make any personal comments about anyone. This is a false allegation being made against me. I am being targeted for being a hardcore BJP leader. The Congress is making false claims and targeting Amit Shah too. This shows Congress is frustrated as we call out their lies," said Ravi, who refused to comment on his alleged remarks against Rahul Gandhi or Hebbalkar's jibe at him. 

"The official (House) recording will prove if I have made any unsavoury remarks. I can't help it if someone imagines things. It reflects their mindset," said Ravi, adding that he would not yield to the "intimidation tactics" of the Congress party.

State BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra defended Ravi, saying that he would never use "such" words. 

LoP in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanswamy, said, "It is only an allegation. The Chairman had adjourned the House and we were in a huddle discussing the Rahul Gandhi incident in parliament. But after 10 minutes, Hebbalkar ma'am stormed out of the House screaming. But we did not hear Ravi speak such words," said Narayanswamy.