Karnataka Minister Faces Backlash Over Alleged “Respectful Bribe” Remark
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Congress government has found itself at the center of a fresh political storm after Excise Minister KM Shivalinge Gowda’s comments regarding the interaction between citizens and government officials triggered a wave of outrage. During a recent ‘Praja Seva Andolana’ meeting held in Sakleshpur, Hassan district, the minister’s remarks about offering money to officials were interpreted by many as an indirect endorsement of bribery.
The Controversial Interaction
The incident unfolded when members of the public raised concerns regarding the rampant corruption within local government offices, alleging that they were frequently pressured to pay bribes to ensure their routine work was completed. Responding to these grievances, Gowda, who also serves as the Hassan district in-charge minister, suggested that while officials were obligated to perform their duties, citizens could choose to “offer” something “respectfully.”
“Whatever you want to offer, you can do so respectfully. It is your dharma, but nobody should take money forcibly,” Gowda stated. This comment immediately drew sharp reactions from the audience, with one attendee questioning the necessity of offering money in the first place. The minister attempted to clarify his position, insisting he had asked for “respect” rather than monetary bribes, but the damage to his public image had already been done.
Political Uproar and BJP Criticism
The opposition BJP was quick to capitalize on the clip, launching a scathing attack on the Siddaramaiah-led administration. R. Ashok, Leader of the Opposition, utilized social media to condemn the remarks, labeling the practice as a “Public Service Fee” or “Honourable Bribe.”
“The government of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, which launched the Public Services Department to listen to people’s grievances, is now shamelessly urging people directly to ‘give bribes’,” Ashok alleged. He further argued that by framing bribery as a “dharma,” the minister was essentially legitimizing corruption within the state machinery. BJP MLA Bharat Shetty also joined the chorus, accusing the minister of providing a “how-to” guide on bribing officials under the guise of etiquette.
Minister’s Defense and Clarification
Facing mounting pressure, Minister Shivalinge Gowda held a press conference to clarify his stance, claiming that his words had been taken out of context. He stated that he was an advocate against corruption and had never intended to support the demand for bribes.
“My comments were completely misconstrued. I told the public to show respect to honest officers who finish their work, not to offer bribes. In the full video, I clearly stated that no official should be paid to perform their duty,” Gowda asserted. He accused the BJP of circulating a maliciously edited snippet of his speech to tarnish his reputation and incite public sentiment for political gains.
Escalation to the Governor
The controversy has now moved beyond political banter, with activist Dinesh Kalahalli filing a formal complaint with Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. The complaint urges the Governor to take note of the minister’s statement, arguing that such rhetoric undermines the integrity of the administration and encourages corrupt practices within public offices. As the row intensifies, the state government remains under significant scrutiny to address the growing public concerns regarding transparency and corruption in its departments.
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