“Cops living like dogs” remark: K’taka HM issues clarification; says “applicable to only a few”

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra issued a clarification about his controversial remarks about police and said that the comment was not made about all police personnel and that it was only about a few bad apples in the police department who were helping criminals.

Earlier, a video of the comment had gone viral on social media, in which the Home Minister was seen expressing his anger over the police’s failure to stop illegal transportation of cattle in the state. The Minister was seen talking to a senior police official over the phone, allegedly during a meeting on Thursday. Araga alleged that some policemen were taking bribes from those into the illegal trade of cattle.

The Minister was heard saying, “All policemen have become worst. We are paying policemen handsome salaries. But, they are working for the leftovers they get from those into illegal activities. Don’t you people have a sense of self-respect? I had never spoken like this. But, as home minister, should I continue or not?”

These comments had drawn widespread criticism as being insensitive and disrespectful to the whole police profession.

The Home Minister clarified that the comments were made with respect to some police personnel who were easily bribed to look the other way during a crime. “There are some who are indulging in cattle theft and illegal slaughter. Some police are involved with such criminals,” he said.

The home minister said he had vented his outrage about the police personnel found to be aiding criminals. “I have respect for the police. I am disappointed with the police personnel who are involved with the lawbreakers,” he said.