Bengaluru, March 4 (IANS): A defiant Karnataka Congress sought action against BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for 'insulting' centenarian freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy, a party official said on Wednesday.

"We have approached state Governor Vajubhai Vala to uphold dignity of public office and initiate action against Yatnal for disrespecting veteran freedom fighter Doreswamy," party's state unit spokesman Rajiv Gowda told IANS here.

Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who led a party delegation to Raj Bhavan, submitted a letter to the Governor, seeking direction to the BJP government for acting against Yatnal.

"Since the BJP assumed office in July 2019, the Constitution has been under threat with unwarranted statements by its state unit leaders," asserted Gowda.

"Yatnal should not only withdraw his derogatory remarks, but also apologise to Doreswamy for insulting him and the 90-year freedom struggle," Siddaramaiah reiterated.

The Vijayapura legislator recently termed Doreswamy a "fake freedom-fighter" and a "Pakistani agent" for associating with "anti-nationalist" elements like former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar and student activist Amulya who shouted "Pakistan Zindabad" on February 20 at an anti-CAA rally in the city.

"Yatnal's remarks violate the Constitution as he disrespected a freedom-fighter, who fought for the country's independence," pointed out Siddaramaiah.

Doreswamy, born on April 10, 1918 near Mysuru, about 150 km southwest of Bengaluru, joined the freedom movement when he was in the intermediate college in Bengaluru during the mid-1930s. He was arrested for joining the Quit India movement along with his brother and other freedom fighters.

The Congress also sought an apology from BJP MLC (member of legislative council) N. Ravikumar for accusing Doreswamy of having "links" with anti-national forces in the country.