Four held for celebratory firing at Union minister’s welcome ceremony

Yadgir/Kalaburagi: The welcome party for Union minister Bhagwanth Khuba in Yadgir town on Wednesday took a rather unexpected turn when gunshots were fired as a celebratory gesture. Police have arrested four individuals – Sharanappa Gundappa Bhimalli, Monappa Durgappa Maneger, Ningappa Chandappa Hattikuni and Devindra Hanamath – under the Arms Act.
Yadgir superintendent of police CB Vedmurthy, while confirming the arrest, told TOI, “They fired dummy bullets into the air, primarily for auditory effect, and not to hurt anyone.But since firing in public is an offence, we have arrested them.”
Khuba, in Yadgir to participate in the BJP’s ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’, said that the four party workers had opened fire to express their happiness. “There was no intention to disrespect the law of the land,” said Khuba, who earlier claimed that they had not fired shots, but had only burst firecrackers.
Khuba, the Bidar MP who was recently appointed Union minister of state for renewable energy, chemicals and fertilisers, was initially welcomed in a traditional ceremony with a garland, shawl and fireworks, before his followers fired shots using country-made rifles. Videos of the event that show guns being flashed throughout the procession have gone viral on social media.
Former ministers Baburao Chinchansur and Raju Gouda were among those who had gathered in Yaragol in Yadgir to welcome Khuba. Chinchansur was reportedly carrying a gun too.
Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanendra has taken cognisance of the incident and sought a police report on the same.
The ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ is being carried out by newly-appointed Union ministers, who are reaching out to the people to seek their blessings while also detailing to them the accomplishments of the Narendra Modi-led central government. Unfortunately, Covid protocol is being the given the short shrift at most of these rallies and events.