Prajwal Revanna, born on August 5, 1990, is a prominent Indian politician who has made waves in Karnataka’s political landscape. As the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from the Hassan Constituency, he holds a significant position in the state. Let’s delve into the life and controversies surrounding this young leader.
Family Legacy
Prajwal Revanna hails from a politically influential family. He is the grandson of former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) patriarch, H. D. Deve Gowda. His father, H. D. Revanna, is the eldest son of Deve Gowda and has also been an active political figure in Karnataka. The Revanna family has deep roots in Hassan, a region known for its political significance.
Political Journey
Prajwal graduated as a mechanical engineer from the Bangalore Institute of Technology in 2014. His entry into politics was marked by his affiliation with the JD(S). In November 2019, he was appointed as the JD’s state general secretary, demonstrating his growing influence within the party.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prajwal achieved a significant milestone by becoming the only JD (S) leader to secure victory from the Hassan constituency. His win solidified the family’s stronghold in the region, which has been their political bastion for years.
The Sex Tape Controversy
However, Prajwal Revanna’s political journey took an unexpected turn when he became embroiled in a sex tape scandal. During the campaign for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, thousands of videos allegedly featuring Prajwal engaging in sexual acts with several women were circulated among voters. Most of these tapes were purportedly recorded by Prajwal himself on his mobile phone and later transferred to his laptop. The recordings reportedly took place in his house and office.
Initially, both the Gowda family and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed the tapes as doctored attempts to tarnish their image during elections. However, former Karnataka Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy distanced himself from the tapes, emphasizing that the police were investigating the case.
The Investigation
The Karnataka Police revealed that a pen drive containing 2,976 videos was circulated in Hassan. These videos varied in duration, some lasting only a few seconds, while others spanned several minutes. Preliminary investigations indicated that most of the videos were shot using a mobile phone in a storeroom at the Revanna residence in Bengaluru and Hassan after 2019. The police have sent some of the pen drives for forensic examination to verify their authenticity.
Recently, a woman working in Prajwal Revanna’s Hassan home filed a complaint alleging that both Prajwal and his father, H. D. Revanna, JD (S) MLA from Holenarasipur, had sexually abused her multiple times between 2019 and 2022.
Belagavi, Karnataka The political landscape in Karnataka has been rocked by a sensational sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna, the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Hassan and the grandson of JD (S) patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. As the scandal unfolds, questions arise about the BJP’s alliance with the JD(S) and its stance on this explosive revelation.
The Allegations
Prajwal Revanna has been accused of being featured in purported sex tapes, which have sent shockwaves through the state. The scandal has drawn attention not only from within Karnataka but also from abroad. The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, as hundreds of girls and women, ranging from ages 16 to 60, allegedly faced sexual harassment by the MP.
BJP’s Prior Knowledge
Laxmi Hebbalkar, the Women and Child Welfare Minister, has leveled serious allegations against the BJP leadership. She claims that the BJP was aware of the scandal well in advance but chose to form an alliance with the JD(S) for political benefit. In December, Devraj Gowda, a BJP leader from Hassan, had reportedly informed BJP state president BY Vijayendra about the scandal through a letter. Additionally, former BJP MLAs Preetam Gowda and RT Ramaswamy raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Mysuru. These revelations indicate that the BJP knew about the scandal but proceeded with the alliance regardless.
BJP’s Dilemma
The scandal has put the BJP in a tight spot. As the ruling party at the national level, it faces scrutiny over its commitment to women’s safety. Laxmi Hebbalkar challenges the BJP to live up to its slogan of “beti bachao, beti padhao” (save daughters, educate daughters) by taking decisive action against the harassment faced by these women. She calls upon the BJP to agitate against the scandal in all taluks and districts without double standards, similar to their protests after the tragic murder of Neha Hiremath in Hubballi.
JD(S) Response
Amidst the ongoing scandal and an investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Prajwal Revanna has reportedly left the country. The JD (S), which had partnered with the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, has distanced itself from Revanna in light of the controversy surrounding the alleged sex tapes. The party is set to suspend him, further complicating the political landscape.
The Alliance Question
The burning question remains: Will the BJP continue its alliance with the JD(S) despite the scandal? As the scandal continues to dominate headlines, the BJP leadership must clarify its stance. The public demands transparency and accountability. The fate of the alliance hangs in the balance, and the BJP’s decision will have far-reaching consequences for Karnataka’s political future.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the BJP’s response. Will they prioritize political expediency or uphold their commitment to women’s safety? The answer may shape the course of Karnataka’s politics for years to come.
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Neeraj Tiwari