BENGALURU: In a twist to Monday’s road-rage incident that snowballed into a language controversy, Bengaluru police have booked FIR against IAF Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose, charging him with attempt to murder and provoking breach of peace.

The move follows a counter-complaint lodged by BPO employee Vikas Kumar, who was involved in a fisticuff with Bose when the latter was being driven by wife Madhumita Dutta to a bus stop on Old Madras Road.
Kumar, arrested on the basis of Madhumita’s complaint that said she and her husband were abused in Kannada before being assaulted, came out on bail and released a video Tuesday stating allegations against him were false.
CM Siddaramaiah Tuesday condemned the incident and took strong objection to Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose’s unwarranted and derogatory remarks about Karnataka and Kannadigas.
Don’t succumb to provocation or emotion: CM to Kannadigas
Describing Bose’s statement as “deeply disrespectful and inflammatory”, the CM stated: “Kannadigas are proud of their mother tongue, but they are not parochial or intolerant. It is not in our culture to attack or abuse others over linguistic matters. Karnataka has a long and proud tradition of embracing people from across the country, treating them with respect and accepting them as one of our own. The inclusive spirit of this land is well-documented in history. It is deeply regrettable that certain national media outlets, neglecting their responsibility and professional ethics, have amplified a baseless accusation by one individual, thereby casting aspersions on the dignity of the entire state. This has caused pain and anguish to every Kannadiga. The state govt is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and is committed to ensuring justice for the victim.”

The CM urged Kannadigas not to succumb to provocation or emotion and made an appeal: “Let us uphold the law and maintain peace. Karnataka is governed by a government elected by the people of this land, and it stands firmly for justice and dignity.”
The CM clarified that he has already instructed the city police commissioner to take appropriate legal action against whoever is involved in the incident regardless of their rank or position.
“He (Wing Commander) attacked me and has given a false complaint against me citing language. Working in Bengaluru, I speak five different languages. What he has said is untrue. I’m on the verge of losing my job because of this,” Vikas stated.
Vikas recounted that he intercepted the MUV driven by Madhumita after it grazed his bike. He stated: “The person (Bose) sitting next to the driver’s seat got down from the car and pushed my bike. When I fell on the road, the person claimed he was working in IAF, warned me not to play games with him, and assaulted me badly. When I took my phone to call a friend, the man bit me, snatched the phone and smashed it… He snatched my bike key and threw it. He tried to strangle me.”
Pro-Kannada activists gathered in front of Baiyyappanahalli police station and condemned the incident. IAF officials visited the station Tuesday and collected details to conduct a parallel probe.