BANGALORE: The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has demanded a judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court judge or a CBI investigation into the violent incidents that occurred in Bangalore after the death of the matinee idol Rajkumar.

The Congress has charged the coalition Government with failing to maintain law and order and called for its resignation.

KPCC president M. Mallikarjun Kharge told presspersons here on Friday that unlike previous governments, which had faced greater challenges, the coalition Government could not cope with the aftermath of the death of Dr. Rajkumar. Its inexperience in handling the situation was most telling.

The way the Government managed matters right from the beginning had exposed its immaturity. Its lack of forethought came into sharp focus when it prevaricated in the matter of finding a suitable place for keeping the body of Dr. Rajkumar for public darshan, Mr. Kharge said.

The violence that took place near Sri Kanteerava Studios before and at the time of the final rites was shocking and shameful. The law and order situation had completely collapsed.

Even Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was forced to return without attending the funeral. The Government had no right to continue in office, Mr. Kharge said.

The former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said that the memory of a highly respected personality had been insulted. The Government should not have given excuses such as insufficient police forces to deal with the violence. The State police had so far commanded utmost respect in the country.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil said the Government should apologise and order an inquiry into the incidents.

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