Karnataka minister, Ramappa Timmapur’s recent remark comparing disgraced JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna to Sri Krishna has sparked outrage and controversy across the state. Revanna, seeking re-election from the Hassan constituency, stands accused of sexually assaulting multiple women, with purported tapes of these incidents circulating widely amidst the ongoing election fervour in Karnataka.

According to reports, Revanna has fled the country, currently believed to be in Germany, with an international lookout notice issued against him. The comment by Ramappa Timmapur, an excise minister in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, has drawn severe criticism. “We haven’t ever seen such a dirty thought in the country, he probably thought he could make a Guinness record. Women used to be with Sri Krishna paramatma with devotion but not this way, probably Prajwal Revanna wanted to break this record,” Timmapur said, as reported in Wion News.

Politicians and people alike get away with saying anything absurd and derogatory about Hindu deities, however, even the Supreme Court is seen making statements like “This lady is single-handedly responsible for the burnings at various places of the country.” The court also said, “This lady makes completely loose-tongue comments…” when Nupur Sharma just quoted from their book. We all saw what happened when the Nupur Sharma controversy broke – all she did was quote from the Islamic text. It led to an umpteen number of fatwas on her, courts wagging their tongues and holding her responsible for everything that occurred. Sar Tan Se Juda became a phrase that Islamists would use at the drop of the hat. However, the court neither condemned the Sar Tan se Juda slogans then nor will it open its mouth now.