Mandya/Bengaluru, Apr 22 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he has asked police officials to take action in accordance with law irrespective of whoever is involved. The CM’s instruction came in connection with a road rage incident in the city involving a Wing Commander and a call centre employee.

Stating that the IAF officer had made “unwarranted and derogatory” remarks about Karnataka and Kannadigas on social media, displaying conduct that is deeply disrespectful and inflammatory, he highlighted that the inclusive spirit of this land is well documented in history.

“I have asked officials to take action in accordance with the law, whoever it is — whether Wing Commander or anyone else,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mandya.

Noting that both sides have given police complaints, he made it clear that action would be taken in accordance with the law.

Later in a post on ‘X’ Siddaramaiah said, “In connection with a recent incident in CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose assaulted a Kannadiga, Vikas Kumar, following a minor vehicle-related matter. Subsequently, he made unwarranted and derogatory remarks about Karnataka and Kannadigas on social media, displaying conduct that is deeply disrespectful and inflammatory.” Kannadigas are proud of their mother tongue, but they are not parochial or intolerant. “It is not in our culture to attack or abuse others over linguistic matters,” he said.

“Karnataka has a long and proud tradition of embracing people from across the country, treating them with respect, and accepting them as one of our own. The inclusive spirit of this land is well documented in history,” he added.

An FIR has been registered against the 40-year-old IAF officer on charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt based on a counter-complaint by a call centre employee, who was previously arrested on the officer’s complaint in a road rage incident, police said on Tuesday.

Shiladitya Bose, a Wing Commander on Monday, recorded a video showing himself bleeding and claimed that he was attacked while he was en route to the airport along with his wife in their car, by the call centre employee (Vikas Kumar), who was on his bike.

The officer who accused the biker of abusing him and his wife in Kannada, also goes on in the video to allege that the people gathered there too “abused” him and his wife accusing them of being wrong. “…this is what Karnataka has become, I believed in Kannada, but seeing the truth, the reality of main heartland Karnataka, I couldn’t believe it. God help us…” he said.

Police subsequently registered a case against the call centre employee, based on a complaint from Bose’s wife, Squadron Leader Madhumita Dutta, and he was later arrested.

However, CCTV footage from cameras in the vicinity of the incident that surfaced later revealed that Bose had assaulted Kumar. The footage that went viral showed Bose knocking Kumar down and also repeatedly kicking him.

Stating that it is deeply regrettable that certain national media outlets, neglecting their responsibility and professional ethics, have amplified a baseless accusation by one individual, thereby casting aspersions on the dignity of the entire state, the CM in a post on ‘X’ said, this has caused pain and anguish to every Kannadiga.

“I urge all Kannadigas not to succumb to provocation or emotion. Let us uphold the law and maintain peace. Karnataka is governed by a government elected by the people of this land, and it stands firmly for justice and dignity,” he said.

“With regard to the incident, I have instructed the Commissioner of Police to take appropriate legal action against the individuals involved – irrespective of their position or rank. The State Government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the victim,” he added. PTI KSU KH