I deeply regret the incident as outbursts were not intentional, says Minister Madhuswamy

Karnataka Law Minister JC Madhuswamy was widely criticized for verbally abusing a woman in Kolar who had come up to him alleging encroachment around the lake. Speaking over the issue, Madhuswamy said that his outbursts were not intentional and he is deeply disappointed with the incident.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Law Minister JC Madhuswamy had come under fierce criticism after a video of him verbally abusing a woman in Kolar went viral on social media.

According to media reports, the Minister had gone to inspect a lake in Kolar and the woman came up to him alleging encroachment around the lake.

Speaking over the issue, Madhuswamy said that his outbursts were not intentional and he is deeply disappointed with the incident.

"I am also a human being. I lost my cool as the woman repeatedly referred to the episode of encroachments despite me assuring of taking stringent measures. So, in the heat of the moment I shouted at her," he clarified.

He further said that many people had come to him with their problems and the woman was one of them.

"I requested her to calm down and tell her problem but she was in no mood to listen. This enraged me and subsequently, I lost my cool," he added.

The incident happened on May 20 when the minister had gone to inspect a pump house of the KC Valley project in Kolar district when the woman complained to him about encroachments on tanks.

In a video that went viral, the woman can be heard asking the minister to take action against the encroachment, an angry Madhuswamy wagged his finger at her and said, "Aye! Shut your mouth, rascal."