Chitradurga: A video of a Karnataka Police sub-inspector and a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Karnataka slapping each other is making rounds on the internet. The video is from Friday midnight. In the video the BJP leader and the cop are seen indulging in an altercation which escalated into a physical fight and both started slapping each other.

The video is from Chitradurga district and the cop in the video has been identified as PSI Gadilingappa. The BJP leader is Hanumanta Gowda, who is the party's Madhugiri district president.

What Had Happened?

According to NDTV, a group had gathered on Durgada Siri Hotel Road around midnight on Friday. Sub Inspector Gadilinga Gowdar instructed them to disperse and go home. This did not go well with the BJP leader and he allegedly abused the cop. Soon after which the sub inspector slapped the BJP leader and after that the BJP leader retaliated.

BJP Blames Congress

BJP's state unit chief B. Y. Vijayendra has posted the video on micro-blogging website X and slammed the ruling Congress over the law and order situation in the state.

In his post Vijayendra said, "Since the Congress came to power in the state, cases of murder, extortion, robbery and rape have been continuously occurring. A situation has arisen where the safety of the common people cannot be provided and law and order has completely collapsed."

His post further read,"Meanwhile, some low-level police officers are resorting to police brutality and even physically assaulting the common people and responsible citizens."

Further condemning the act he said, "@BJP4Karnataka strongly condemns the hooliganism displayed by PSI Gadilingappa in Chitradurga against our party's Madhugiri (organizational district) district president, Hanumantegowda."

"Officers who are unable to maintain peace in a civilized society are going out in the middle of the night to display their police brutality. Showing goonishness before attacking a person, regardless of their social status, is like diminishing the dignity of the efficiency of the police department," he added.

Accusing political motive in the matter he said, "Some police officers, who are sitting in their respective positions due to Congress influencers, have adopted the mentality that no one can do anything to them and are displaying their arrogance everywhere. The possibility of political motivation behind the Chitradurga incident cannot be denied."

Demanding the cops suspension he said, "The police are behaving like puppets of powerful politicians and are ruining the respect of the department. I warn that if the Director General of Police does not suspend Chitradurga PSI Gadilingappa immediately, it will be inevitable for the BJP to join hands with the citizens in their struggle."

Reportedly, counter-complainants have been filed from both sides in the matter.