Karnataka Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) for Dharwad district, Narayana V. Baramani, has firmly refused to withdraw his resignation, citing irreparable damage to his dignity following a public altercation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The incident took place on April 28 during a Congress convention in Belagavi, where CM Siddaramaiah allegedly made a slap gesture toward Baramani during a moment of unrest in the crowd. The senior officer formally submitted his resignation on June 12, and despite efforts by the state government to persuade him to reconsider, Baramani has stood his ground. On Thursday, Baramani’s resignation letter surfaced online and quickly went viral, sparking debate over the treatment of law enforcement officers by political leaders.
In the letter addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs (Police Services), Baramani stated that his resignation is voluntary and prompted by deep humiliation caused by the Chief Minister’s actions.
“CM Siddaramaiah raised his hand at me in a threatening manner, attempting to strike me. I instinctively stepped back and narrowly avoided being slapped,” he wrote.
Baramani questioned the broader implications of such behavior, asking:
“If an officer of Additional SP rank can be subjected to such treatment in public, what message does this send to junior officers?”
He further detailed the emotional toll the incident has taken on him and his family, stating that he remained isolated for days, unable to speak, as his wife and children broke down in tears upon learning about the incident.“Not a single word of consolation came from the Chief Minister, his government, or even from my department. The silence was deafening,” he lamented.
Recounting the events of April 28, Baramani explained he was assigned stage security for a Congress protest rally in Belagavi. During the Chief Minister’s speech, a group of women in the audience raised black flags in protest. Although another officer was in charge of that section, the situation was quickly brought under control.
Despite this, CM Siddaramaiah reportedly turned toward the stage and asked angrily, “Who is this SP here?” When Baramani stepped forward to explain, the Chief Minister allegedly made a slap gesture that left the officer stunned.
“For a brief moment, I considered confronting the Chief Minister, but chose restraint to avoid further public embarrassment. The incident was already widely reported in national media and shared across social platforms,” he said.
Baramani revealed that the humiliation continued even after he resumed duties, with the episode being referenced in departmental and inter-agency meetings, deepening his emotional distress. With over 31 years of service in the Karnataka Police, from PSI to Additional SP, Baramani concluded his letter by reaffirming that his decision to step down is final, asserting that “dignity, once lost, cannot be reclaimed through persuasion.”
