Hassan Deputy Commissioner takes exception to JD(S) leader Revanna’s remaks

Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari of Hassan strongly objected to former Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Revanna's remarks about her. She deemed the comments as inappropriate and not befitting a former minister's stature. Speaking to the media in Hassan on Monday, Ms. Lathakumari asserted that her position was attained through her own efforts and not through any external means.

This response came in the wake of Revanna's ridicule-laden comment questioning the origin of her appointment. Earlier at a press conference, Revanna had accused Ms. Lathakumari of fixating gram panchayat seat reservations under political pressure. In reaction, Ms. Lathakumari recounted her childhood belief that education would bring societal respect, and later, holding an administrative post would do so.

Despite her current role, she recounted facing such demeaning comments, which she found unbecoming of a legislator. Referring to Revanna, a seasoned politician, she noted that the use of such language was likely an attempt to undermine her mentally. She emphasized that she was not weak and could not be weakened. Regarding the gram panchayat ward reservations, Ms. Lathakumari clarified that the Deputy Commissioner, not the tahsildars or the MLA, held the authority under the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act.

She emphasized that the MLA could raise objections through the appropriate channels, but none had been submitted regarding the reservation in question.