Date:28/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/28/stories/2006102821390400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Law should take its course in my grandson's case: Deve Gowda

Special Correspondent

Says his family is being targeted by a section of the media

BANGALORE: The Janata Dal (Secular) president and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, said on Friday that the law should take its course in the matter pertaining to his grandson Nikhil, who along with some of his friends had allegedly indulged in violence at a hotel here in the early hours of Thursday.

Mr. Deve Gowda expressed his anguish over the media hype and said that it was unfortunate that a section of the media had resorted to "unethical ways" of defaming him, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his family.

The picture of the youth, purported to be that of Nikhil, was wrong and the photograph was that of Prajwal, son of Minister for Public Works and Energy H.D. Revanna.

He said efforts should be made to correct such youth rather than target a family based on what an individual had done. Most of the State political leaders stayed clear of giving any reaction to the media on the violence.

The former Prime Minister recalled a similar incident, which took place in 1973 when as Leader of the Opposition he refused to be a party to an adjournment motion against then Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs. As per a case made out against late M.D. Nataraj, one of the sons-in-law of Devaraj Urs, the former had allegedly assaulted a military officer. The matter figured in the Legislative Assembly.

Quoting from the legislative proceedings of that day, Mr. Deve Gowda said: "I never attempted to derive political mileage and on the contrary said I do not intend to hurt the feelings of the Chief Minister."

While the law should take its course, juvenile delinquency should stand corrected. "People should not get down to low levels in their attempt to destroy a family," he said.

The members of the Deve Gowda family were visibly upset by the developments even as the Chief Minister's son remained indoors at the official residence of Mr. Kumaraswamy. They were upset with what had happened and said while indulging in violence was improper the manner in which a section of the media was targeting the family was unfair.