Karnataka police have booked an FIR against Chikkamagaluru District BJP President Devaraja Shetty and more than 100 workers who were protesting the arrest of BJP MLC C.T. Ravi over alleged derogatory remarks against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, sources said on Saturday.

Ravi, who was arrested on Thursday, was released the next night after the Karnataka High Court’s order. The BJP had called for a state-wide bandh in response to the Congress-led Karnataka government’s move to arrest Ravi and torture him.

Ravi sat on a dharna on a public road in the early hours of Friday, claiming that a conspiracy had been hatched to kill him while in police custody. BJP workers and the party District President from Ravi’s native Chikkamagaluru were outraged and staged a protest against the Congress government. As Congress workers tried to enter Ravi’s residence in Chikkamagaluru, BJP workers became agitated and protested strongly.

The police stated that 10 FIRs were booked against BJP workers at various police stations in Chikkamagaluru city and Basavanahalli. The police said the BJP workers disrupted public peace, burned tyres in public places, and forcefully shut down shops and establishments. They also mentioned that the move by BJP workers to block the highway was taken seriously.

Police had to resort to a lathi-charge when BJP and Congress workers engaged in heavy arguments and began fighting on Friday.

Meanwhile, Ravi thanked BJP party workers who stood by him during difficult times.

“To my fellow workers across the state who protested against the Tughlaq government, your unwavering support has further strengthened my resolve. Your encouragement has empowered me to fight even harder against evil forces,” Ravi stated.

“As members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, we stand united and will never allow Karnataka to become a ‘goonda republic,'” Ravi underlined.

Chaos and drama unfolded on Thursday as, during a heated debate session in the Legislative Council, Ravi allegedly referred to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as a “drug addict.”

Taking objection to the remarks, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar slammed Ravi, calling him a “murderer.” In response, the BJP leader allegedly used an obscene term against the woman minister.