Faced No Slap, But Public Humiliation: Cop Quits After Siddaramaiah’s Reprimand

The Karnataka government has not yet taken a final decision on the voluntary retirement request submitted by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) N.V. Baramani, who cited public humiliation by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as the reason for stepping down. Baramani tendered his resignation last month, following an incident during a Congress rally in Belagavi in April.

In his letter dated June 14 to the Home Secretary, Baramani described emotional distress and a loss of morale stemming from the April 28 protest led by CM Siddaramaiah against inflation. Assigned to stage security, Baramani was publicly reprimanded when BJP women workers disrupted the event. The Chief Minister, angered by the situation, summoned Baramani onstage, yelled at him, and allegedly raised his hand as if to strike him—though he stopped short.

Baramani recounted the incident in his resignation letter, stating that Siddaramaiah shouted, “Hey! Who is this SP here? Get out!” before making a gesture that appeared to precede a slap. “I instinctively stepped back and narrowly avoided being slapped in front of thousands,” he wrote. While there was no physical contact, the officer said the humiliation was aired repeatedly on television and witnessed by senior Congress leaders, officials, party workers, and media personnel.

He explained that he quietly exited the stage to protect the dignity of both the police force and the Chief Minister’s Office. “Though I was not physically assaulted, the public shaming was deeply traumatic,” he added.

The officer described the emotional toll at home, where his family was devastated. “There was silence, like after a death. My wife and children were in tears,” he wrote, expressing dismay that no senior officer reached out to him afterward. He said the episode continued to affect him during departmental meetings, leaving him isolated and undermining his authority.

“I have served the Karnataka Police for 31 years with dedication,” Baramani said, calling his bond with the uniform as sacred as with his mother. He questioned how he could be expected to uphold justice when he himself had been denied dignity and fairness.

Baramani concluded his letter by highlighting the mental trauma the incident had caused him and his family. He called it not just a personal issue but a warning signal for all uniformed officers and government employees who may feel vulnerable in today’s political climate. He urged the government to accept his resignation in light of the circumstances.

Following his resignation request, CM Siddaramaiah and senior ministers reportedly contacted Baramani to convince him to reconsider. Siddaramaiah also met with him privately, though the details of their conversation remain undisclosed.

The incident has sparked political backlash. The BJP, taking to platform X, accused Siddaramaiah of arrogance and claimed the ASP had been “nearly slapped” at a Congress event aimed at boosting the CM’s image. BJP Karnataka posted, “We can only imagine the humiliation he suffered because of the arrogance of this ‘lottery CM’ Siddaramaiah.”

The Janata Dal (Secular) also weighed in, claiming that many police officers in Karnataka are frustrated under what they described as Siddaramaiah’s “Hitler-like rule,” prompting some to consider voluntary retirement.