Politicians should hold their tongue: Karnataka HC slams BJP MLC N Ravikumar for calling IAS officer 'Pakistani'

The Karnataka High Court on Friday came down heavily on BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) N Ravikumar for calling IAS officer Fouzia Tarannum "Pakistani" during a political protest.

While hearing Ravikumar's petition seeking quashing of criminal proceedings, Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that such remarks against a civil servant merely because of her religion cannot be tolerated.

"She is an IAS officer of the State. Take it to the Supreme Court. This has become too much. What was the protest? I will not pardon that at all...Can you think you can speak anything? I will not permit it," the Court remarked.

The Court further observed that cases regarding politicians' remarks were clogging the judiciary and advised them to exercise restraint in public speeches.

"All of you should hold your tongue. Otherwise, criminal courts are filled with frivolous cases. Murder and extortion cases are pending for 10 years and these cases keep filling the courts because you don't hold your tongue."

The judge further commented,

"Whatever be the party, you should both stop all this. Only mudslinging on each other. Nobody talks about policies; nobody talks about burning issues. People are not interested in what you speak against each other. They are interested in their welfare."

In May 2025, during a political rally, N Ravikumar accused the IAS officer of acting on the orders of the Congress party and made remarks on her origin from Pakistan.

When it was pointed out that Ravikumar had issued an apology, the Court questioned whether such an apology could erase the impact of the remarks. The Court also questioned how an IAS officer could be targeted based on religion,

"How do you pin the IAS officer on the basis of religion? I am not on the yatra at all. You have every right to protest. But these are not the statements to be made."

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner, Advocate M Vinod Kumar, submitted that offences under Sections 193 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita had been invoked. He argued that Ravikumar made the speech during a BJP protest after the Leader of Opposition in the State was allegedly detained.

Special Public Prosecutor BN Jagadeesh submitted that if Ravikumar had any grievance against the Deputy Commissioner, he could have represented the matter before the Chief Secretary or other competent authorities instead of making public remarks.

Justice Nagaprasanna observed that while Ravikumar's remarks were unacceptable, preventing protesters from carrying the national flag, if true, would also be impermissible.

"What is wrong in holding the National Flag? What is your problem? If Ravikumar's statement is wrong, then your action is also not right. If those people were stopped from carrying the National Flag during the protest, we will impose costs on them...But that does not mean you can make such statements."

Before concluding the hearing, the Court directed the State to produce records relating to the permission sought for the protest.

"Get the records. What representation did they give? What protest did they seek permission for? If I find that carrying the National Flag formed part of their representation and they were prevented from doing so, we will certainly examine it. But I will not spare you (Ravikumar) also for talking like that."

The matter will heard next on August 20.

Additional SPP Anoop Kumar appeared for the State.