BENGALURU: A slipper was allegedly hurled at Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar during the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations in Chikkaballapura on Saturday. The incident reportedly took place when some people, allegedly JD(S) workers, threw slippers at the MLA. The object narrowly missed its target, according to news agency PTI. Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad later condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly act” and saying such behaviour has no place in a democratic society. In a Facebook post, he said political differences were natural but violence and humiliation could not be justified in democracy.“This act of publicly throwing a slipper at Chikkaballapur MLA Pradeep Eshwar by members of the opposition deserves the strongest condemnation,” he said.According to news agency PTI, Hariprasad said, “Differences of opinion are natural in politics. But only those who cannot counter arguments and are incapable of responding in the language of democracy resort to such despicable and cowardly acts.” He further said there was no place in Karnataka for a political culture that sought to suppress dissent through violence, intimidation and humiliation.“In a democracy that respects the people’s verdict, there can be no justification for such misconduct,” he said.Expressing solidarity with the Congress legislator, Hariprasad said Eshwar should not lose heart.“The Congress party stands firmly with you. No one can silence the voice that stands for truth, democracy and the people through such acts,” the Congress state chief said in his post.
