FIR filed against Kannada and Culture Department Director

Bengaluru: An FIR has been registered against K.M. Gayatri, the Director of the Kannada and Culture Department, at the S.J. Park Police Station here. The complaint, filed by folk artist Jogila Siddaraju, alleges caste discrimination and assault.

According to Siddaraju, he met Gayatri on July 11 to inquire about outstand ing payments for spon sored cultural troupes, which have been pending for three years. He claims that during this encoun ter, Gayatri not only verbally abused him, making casteist remarks, but also physically assaulted him and snatched his mobile phone.

In his formal complaint, Siddaraju, a folk artist with 35 years of experience in various cultural programs, including government and international events, stated: "On July 11, around 4:30 pm, I went to the director's office to ask for the pend ing remuneration for spon sored troupes from the last three years.

Knowing that I am a Dalit artist, she spoke to me in an oppressive manner, saying that she doesn't need to learn ad ministration from people like me." He further detailed the alleged assault: "When I threatened to complain to higher authorities, she suddenly took the com puter mouse pad from her table and threw it at me, assaulting me.

When K.N. Nagesh, another artist who accompanied me, tried to video record her inappropriate behavior on his mobile, she pounced on him, snatched his phone, and assaulted him." Siddaraju's complaint also highlighted that a mediation meeting was scheduled for July 14, but Gayatri was absent.

Following this, Siddaraju submitted an appeal to the Chief Minister before approaching the S.J. Park police station. The police have confirmed that a case has been registered based on his complaint. Siddaraju has urged authorities to review the CCTV footage from inside the office to ascertain the truth of the incident.