Daijiworld Media Network – Belagavi
Belagavi, July 17: In a move that has sparked widespread speculation, the Karnataka government has transferred Narayana Bharamani, the former additional superintendent of police (ASP) of Dharwad district, back to Belagavi as deputy commissioner of police (law and order).
The transfer comes in the wake of tensions arising from an incident involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a protest in Belagavi earlier this year.
Bharamani had reportedly expressed displeasure over the chief minister’s public rebuke during the protest, even contemplating resignation. Both Siddaramaiah and Home minister Dr G Parameshwara are said to have intervened personally to calm the situation. The transfer to Belagavi is widely viewed as a gesture to appease the officer amid mounting pressure.
What transpired?
Narayana Bharamani, who was serving as assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Belagavi, was shifted to Dharwad in 2024. On April 28, during a Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) protest in Belagavi against the BJP government’s price hike policies, Bharamani was assigned the critical task of managing security in the absence of the city police commissioner.
The protest attracted top leaders, including CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. However, the event descended into chaos when six BJP activists stormed the stage, waving black flags and disrupting Siddaramaiah’s speech with loud slogans opposing the state government.
The Chief Minister, visibly angered by the breach of security, called out to the police officers in charge. As Bharamani approached the dais, Siddaramaiah was seen angrily gesturing towards him and questioning, “Who is the SP of Belagavi? What is happening here? What are you all doing?”
The public reprimand left Bharamani, known as a “tough officer,” visibly unsettled. The incident quickly went viral on social media, stirring debate about the conduct of both the CM and the police officer.
Though no official confirmation links the transfer directly to the episode, sources suggest the move aims to defuse tension and maintain harmony within the police ranks.