A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka following a recent police raid on a rave party in Bengaluru, where 86 attendees, including a Telugu actor, tested positive for drug consumption. The BJP has criticized the ruling Congress government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order in the city and referring to Bengaluru as 'Udta Bengaluru', about the 2016 film 'Udta Punjab' which dealt with drug abuse.
The BJP's Karnataka unit tweeted in Kannada, highlighting what they perceive as a growing issue of drug abuse and rave parties in Bengaluru, criticizing the Congress government for what they claim is a deteriorating situation in the city. The tweet accused the Congress of allowing the situation to worsen, turning Bengaluru into a hub for narcotics and immoral gatherings.
The BJP's campaign included a poster featuring Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, with hashtags #BadBengaluru and #CongressFailsKarnataka. The poster labeled Bengaluru as 'Udta Bengaluru', claiming that the city was becoming an 'adda' (hub) for drugs and rave parties.
The recent raid took place at a farmhouse under the guise of a birthday party, where 103 people participated, including 73 men and 30 women. Police seized a variety of narcotics, including 14.40 grams of MDMA pills, 1.16 grams of MDMA crystals, six grams of hydro cannabis, five grams of cocaine, and a Rs 500 note coated with cocaine. Additionally, they confiscated DJ equipment, sound and lighting systems worth Rs 1.5 crore, five mobile phones, and two vehicles, a Volkswagen and a Land Rover. Blood tests confirmed drug use in 59 men and 27 women.
In response, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara defended the government's efforts to combat drug abuse. He asserted that the government is taking strict measures against drugs, with significant quantities seized and destroyed, and many foreign students deported. He criticized the BJP's statements, arguing that it is inappropriate for the opposition to make such allegations without recognizing the ongoing efforts to address the issue.
Parameshwara emphasized the seriousness with which the government is tackling the problem, stating that continuous monitoring and stringent actions are being implemented. He urged the opposition not to cast unfounded aspersions, highlighting the proactive measures already taken by the state administration to curb the menace of drug abuse.
Â
