Despite repeated efforts by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G. Parameshwara to persuade him otherwise, Additional Superintendent of Police Narayan Baramani has refused to withdraw his resignation, citing irreparable damage to his self-respect.
Officer Cites Public Humiliation and Lack of Institutional Support
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Baramani detailed the events that led to his decision. “Having been publicly insulted and humiliated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on a public platform for a mistake I did not commit, I am left with no choice but to resign voluntarily,” he wrote.
The incident occurred during the ‘Save Constitution’ convention in Belagavi, where Mr. Baramani was summoned to the stage in the absence of the local SP or DCP. “I approached with humility as a mark of respect… the CM raised his hand as if to slap me. I stepped back and avoided it, but the humiliation lingered,” he stated.
Emotional Distress and Silence from Leadership
Mr. Baramani expressed deep disappointment that neither the Chief Minister nor any senior government official reached out to offer support following the incident. “Even my colleagues failed to show moral solidarity, which only intensified my mental anguish,” he wrote. He added that the memory of the episode haunts him daily, making it unbearable to continue in service.
Incident Captured on Video
The controversy erupted earlier this year during the Belagavi event, where BJP women protestors wearing black scarves disrupted proceedings. CM Siddaramaiah, angered by the security lapse, publicly reprimanded Mr. Baramani, who was overseeing stage security. A video of the incident showed the CM appearing to raise his hand toward the officer—an act that drew widespread condemnation across political and social circles.
Senior leaders including Randeep Singh Surjewala and Law Minister H.K. Patil were seen attempting to calm the situation. The CM later confronted Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar regarding the breach in security.
Mounting Political Fallout
The Karnataka government is now facing growing criticism over the unresolved episode. Mr. Baramani’s unwavering stance has spotlighted concerns about political overreach and the dignity of civil servants. If accepted, his resignation could set a precedent and intensify scrutiny of political conduct toward bureaucrats.
The issue remains a persistent political embarrassment, widely viewed as a test of accountability in public office and the relationship between elected officials and the civil services.
