Bengaluru, July 15 (IANS) A political war of words erupted between Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge and state BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday over the escape of three inmates from the Kalaburagi Central Prison, with Kharge defending the government’s response and Vijayendra accusing the state government of trying to divert attention from its failures.

In a statement, Kharge said police officials had been directed to take effective measures to trace and arrest the remaining absconding prisoners.

He said after he assumed charge as Home Minister, review meetings have been held with every wing of the Home Department, and necessary measures are being undertaken to strengthen and modernise them.

Kharge added that he would personally review the conditions prevailing in prisons across the state and assess the performance of prison staff in the coming days. He said the government is committed to prison reforms, strengthening security systems, and taking stringent measures to curb illegal activities within prisons.

The Home Minister also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its criticism of the prison escape, urging opposition leaders to reflect on the condition of prisons during their tenure. He said before criticising, BJP leaders should examine the state of prisons during their own rule.

Kharge recalled that in 2010, during the BJP government’s tenure, eight inmates had escaped from the Koppal District Prison, which he described as one of the biggest prison escape incidents in Karnataka’s history. He asked whether the BJP would describe that incident as a failure of the then Home Minister.

He further alleged that during the BJP’s tenure, the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison had effectively turned into a “guest house,” with inmates allegedly enjoying special privileges.

Responding sharply, Vijayendra accused Kharge of making irresponsible statements and urged him to focus on maintaining law and order instead of commenting on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Vijayendra said the Home Minister of a government that extended “royal hospitality” to an ISIS terrorist should stop worrying about the RSS. He added that prisoners have escaped from a jail in Kharge’s own home district, which reflects the state of his administration.

Taking exception to Kharge’s reference to the 2010 prison break in Koppal, Vijayendra said that just because an incident happened in 2010, does that justify allowing prisoners to escape now, and asked him not to narrate stories to cover up the government’s failures.

He further stated that a person heading one of the state’s most important departments should not make such remarks, adding that it is unfortunate that a person holding such a significant portfolio is making irresponsible statements, which only reflect his suitability for the office.

He said the entire nation is aware of what has transpired in Karnataka’s prisons during the last three years of the government’s tenure and that Kharge should be ashamed of making such irresponsible statements.

The exchange comes in the wake of the escape of three inmates from Kalaburagi Central Prison earlier this week.

–IANS

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