Eshwarappa also clarified that A H Vishwanath will be rewarded, and that discussions are already on regarding this.

MYSURU: With the delay in cabinet expansion and the newly-elected MLAs and defeated candidates jittery over this, veteran BJP leader and Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa assured that those who helped in bringing the BJP government to power in the state will be rewarded in two days, adding that it is the BJP’s responsibility to reward them. 

Eshwarappa also clarified that A H Vishwanath will be rewarded, and that discussions are already on regarding this. However, he said that he isn’t aware of any talks held regarding this during Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state. He said that the Congress has no “moral right” to attack the BJP over the delay in cabinet expansion. 

Talking about the stand the BJP has taken regarding banning SDPI and PFI, he said that these people come from Kerala and raise slogans for Pakistan, and that only after checking facts is the government considering banning both organisations.

Vishwanath, who contested from Hunsur assembly segment, lost to Congress nominee H P Manjunath. 

BENGALURU:  Adagur H Vishwanath, the former JDS president who had helped the ‘chief rebel’ Ramesh Jarkiholi in bringing together all 17 MLAs to topple the previous coalition government, is not very pleased that the cabinet expansion is constantly getting delayed.

When asked what will happen if the government does not honour its commitment to induct the rebels, as it has already been about seven months since this government has come to power, told The New Indian Express, ‘nodona yenaguthe antha’ (we will see what will happen). 

When asked about the rumours floating regarding the chances the Congress (with 68 MLAs, and the JDS, with 34 MLAs) still has of coming to power, provided the 17 rebels support them again, Vishwanath said that nothing can be confirmed, repeating his ‘let us see’ stance.     

Talking about the delay in cabinet expansion, Vishwanath said that as there was a process to be followed, as well as the bypolls, the delay “is fine”.

He said that he will speak to the other 16 rebels, as they had collectively acted to bring down the coalition government.

“I will speak to them and will arrange a meeting. Let us see how long they will delay the cabinet expansion,” he said.     

It may be recalled that the former rebels have held at least three meetings, where they decided to stay united come what may. One source even explained that the rebels were planning a pilgrimage together to seek divine intervention. 

“We are not asking for anything extraordinary, we are only asking them to keep up their commitment and what they promised us. If it was not for the 17 MLAs who resigned, how could this government have come to power?’’ he asked, adding, “The ball is in their court.’’  

In the past few weeks, the rebels have expressed their frustration over the delay in inducting them as ministers in Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s cabinet. They said that this commitment was made to them even before they rebelled.   

Vishwanath, who contested from Hunsur assembly segment, lost to Congress nominee H P Manjunath. 

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Petroleum and Chemicals D V Sadananda Gowda said that CM Yediyurappa will decide about cabinet expansion once he returns from Davos.

“He is in Davos along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will think about expanding the cabinet after he returns,” Gowda said.

These two incidents suggest that there is more to the BJP’s demand to ban PFI and SDPI than meets the eye.

MANGALURU: Soon after the December 19 police firing in Mangaluru, in which two people were killed, BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje wasted no time in blaming Popular Front of India (PFI) and Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) for the incident.

In 2016, the BJP had gone overboard, blaming PFI and SDPI for the brutal murder of Karthik Raj, son of a BJP worker, at Konaje. While in the first incident, police have not yet been able to establish the role of PFI-SDPI; in the second, it turned out that the murder was the result of a family feud, with no communal or political angle. Raj’s sister and two others were arrested for the murder.

These two incidents suggest that there is more to the BJP’s demand to ban PFI and SDPI than meets the eye. Though police have established evidence against PFI-SDPI workers in some criminal incidents, including the murder of RSS worker Rudresh in Bengaluru, the BJP is blaming the fledgling party for every incident by giving it a communal colour. It is using the outfit as a punching bag to reap political dividends. 

SDPI is becoming popular among Muslims in the region as it gives a sense of security to the community, with the communalisation of politics and the Congress’ perceived ‘soft-Hindutva’. At present, it has 45 members in local bodies in Dakshina Kannada district. Political commentator Prof Muzaffar Assadi feels that the government does not have any concrete proof to recommend a ban, and the idea appears to have been imported from Uttar Pradesh, where the party has made the same demand.

“To ban a political outfit or an organisation, you need concrete proof of its anti-national activities, triggering violence, destroying public property, terrorist activities, arrests under TADA, among others. So it is only creating an abstract enemy,” he said. Assadi feels that banning a political outfit may not help any political party as it may come back in a more powerful form. 

SDPI leader Iqbal Bellare said BJP is wary of SDPI as has been exposing falsehoods of the RSS and BJP. Stating that journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder accused has been linked to the Sangh Parivar, he asked whether the government would also recommend a ban on the RSS. Congress leader Ramanath Rai, who sees a threat in SDPI as a Muslim vote-cutter in his Bantwal constituency, said BJP will weigh the pros and cons before banning SDPI. 

Ajmal Perfumes partners with Health & Glow to reach out to the mass Indian consumers

January 16th 2020: Shanvi Srivastava the popular South Indian actress unveiled the most popular classical fragrances of Ajmal at Health & Glow today. Ajmal Perfumes, one of the Gulf region’s biggest perfume houses based out of Dubai, with over 300 products in its portfolio.The perfume brand known for its bespoke fragrances is celebrated world-wide for its passion for crafting memories through perfumes ever since its founder Haji Ajmal Ali, created the brand in 1951. As a trader of oudh and oudh oil, Haji Ajmal Ali opened his first store in Mumbai in the 1960s. In 1976, Ajmal opened its doors in the UAE. Currently, Ajmal Perfumes is present in 34 cities with 56 company owned outlets across India. Ajmal is present in all the major online marketplaces too.

Unveiled the most popular classical fragrances of Ajmal

The seven-decade old brand is the perfect match for Health & Glow, the beauty destination of India, which has been playing a major role in shaping the idea of beauty and personal care in India for over two decades now.

Commenting on the association, Mr. Abdulla Ajmal, Consultant Perfumer (and third generation of Ajmal) – Ajmal & Sons, India said, “We are ecstatic to partner with Health & Glow, one of the renowned and most trusted beauty retailers in India. This is in line with our brand extension strategy to partner with the best-in-class retail players.  With Health & Glow as the partner, we’re confident of stability, sustainability and most importantly, scalability of our brand.”   

Commenting on this new format outlet, Mr. Saurav Bhattacharya – President Operations at Ajmal & Sons said, “By leveraging Ajmal’s USP of innovation, and an in-depth knowledge of the clientele that frequents Health & Glow, we are offering customers the very best from Ajmal’s world of fragrances, that are now available in select Health & Glow stores & online. We will also keep expanding our footprint in India in the near future to cover the entire gamut of discerning perfume users. We practically started at zero and we aim to get 500 points of sale by the end of March 2020. Post 500 points of sale, we are ambitiously aiming at crossing 2000 points of sale in the next two years.”

Commenting on the collaboration Mr. K Venkataramani, MD & CEO, Health and Glow, said, “We are extremely happy and proud to present Ajmal, one of the greatest perfume brands that is so committed to create the bond between memory and smell.  

Health & Glow has the legacy of working with reputed brands, and Ajmal Perfumes is no exception to it. It’s the seven-decade long heritage of creating the finest and most captivating fragrances that we believe our customers deserve to explore. Being the beauty destination of India, we understand our customers and believe that every product that we offer in-store & online, is a reflection of our vision and philosophy.”

About Ajmal Perfumes:

The Company Ajmal & Sons was established in the year 1951 by Haji Ajmal Ali. As a trader of oudh and oudh oil, Haji Ajmal Ali opened his first store in Nagdevi, Mumbai in the 1960s. In 1976, Ajmal opened its doors in the UAE.

Today this family-owned business is steered by the passion of the second and third generation Ajmal, each playing a key role in the brand’s development. At present, Ajmal Perfumes is present in 34 cities with 56 company owned outlets across India. Ajmal is present in all the major online marketplaces and also at the airports in stores like Olfactive in Mumbai and Delhi and at the Parcos stores too. Globally the brand has a presence at several airports and in-flight retail.

About Health & Glow:

What began in 1997, has only grown by foundation, service and meaning. Health & Glow, with its high quality products and absolute attention to detail in its service, has crafted a niche for itself in the industry and the hearts of its customers. Today, they have emerged as the largest network of beauty and wellness store with over 160 stores across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Bhubaneswar and Mangalore. In addition to the stores, they also have online store (healthandglow.com) and App for convenient shopping. They host an unmatched and an ever-increasing assortment of makeup, skin care, hair care, herbals, naturals and wellness products for both men and women. With more than 600 brands and growing, 6000+ products that are of 100% authentic range, they seek to exceed the expectations of their diverse customers.

Bommai says organisations plotting to eliminate BJP leaders; BSY to lead delegation to Delhi to seek ban 

BENGALURU: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), People’s Front of India (PFI) and a few other similar organizations may soon be banned, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy told the media after the cabinet meeting on Friday. They said the issue was discussed in the cabinet and some stern action is being considered against these “extreme outfits”.

This statement comes after information that the organisations were seeking to eliminate some known names in the BJP like Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya and Chakravarti Sulibele of Yuva Brigade, a sister outfit of the BJP.   Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Many of them are known violators, they have planned and executed murders, unrest and terror activities over a period of time, and much has been documented.’’ Many have been arrested in previous cases and questioned, and the government has a lot of information on their activities which will all be provided to central government and other agencies, Bommai said. There have been murders, terror activities, planning and conspiracy in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru and other places also.

This is the third time the government is reiterating that it is seeking to ban these organisations. It may be recalled that the first time was following the attack on Congress MLA Tanveer Sait in Mysuru, when the government had stated that it would consider a ban on the PFI. Cabinet Minister R Ashoka had said they would go ahead with banning the SDPI and Karnataka Forum for Dignity. 

The second time the ban was mentioned was after the protests in Mangaluru, when the government again considered the issue of banning SDPI and PFI, where protests saw two deaths due to police firing. Minister Suresh Kumar had said that “both organisations instigate violence and disturb peace in society. Both need to be banned’’.

SDPI state secretary Akram Hassan said, “There is no basis for banning any political party. We are a registered political party functioning under the Constitution. We have won more than 20 seats in municipal and other elections across the state. We are a 10-year-old party, and from day one, they have tried to ban our party, questioning our existence.’’

Earlier in the day, Health Minister B Sriramulu told reporters that a delegation headed by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa will soon go to Delhi to meet Home Ministry officials, demanding a ban on these organisations. “I will also be part of it and meet the officials concerned next month to submit the memorandum,” he said.Police said that those who attacked a BJP worker for taking part in a pro-CAA demonstration were planning to target many senior  leaders, including Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya. “I have more trust on God. There is talk of giving security to people like us, what about people who work on the ground. Our worker Varun was attacked, who will give security to them? People who work for country cannot be seen holding a gun or seen with a gunman. If this is seen, it is nothing but destroying the very purpose of democracy,” the MP said.

Industry Minister Jagadish Shettar said the SDPI always denies its involvement in such activities but it has been proved now. The organisation should be banned as the members have always been involved in anti-social activities and the Union government should take very serious note of this, he said.

Asha workers to get one-time settlement
The strike by thousands of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers seems to have succeeded in garnering the attention of the state government.  Although the government has not fulfilled all their demands, it has offered them a one-time settlement of Rs 3,000 each to the 41,000 Asha workers and said it will look into their other demands.  Minister J C Madhuswamy, who announced it after the cabinet meeting on Friday, the state government will incur an additional burden of Rs 12.5 crore to meet the one-time settlement.  ASHA workers had staged a massive protest soon after the New Year after all the deadlines they had given the government expired at the end of last year. The offer came in about a fortnight after the protest began.

KAPALA BETTA, KANAKAPURA (RAMANAGARA DISTRICT): Anthoniyamma Mary flips the pages of the Bible which according to her is more than 100 years old.

“He (Jesus) has given us everything and it is our turn to give him back. It is mentioned in the book. We were told during Sunday prayers to give Rs 1 lakh for the construction of the tallest Jesus statue. I am happy contributing to it.”

With pro-Hindu organisations opposing the construction of the statue, local residents seem to be determined to go ahead with it.

There are 800 houses in villages near Kapala Betta. Christians are in majority here. Each house is contributing Rs 1 lakh for the 114-foot tall statue.

Many of these families largely depend on sericulture.

Anthoniyamma and her husband stay at Jyothinagar which is close to Kapala Betta. They work as coolies in sericulture farms for their bread and butter. They also own a couple of sheep.

“We were told to contribute for the statue. Every month, we save a little money and pay at the church. When we ran short of money one month, we even auctioned our calf (goat) for Rs 6,000. We paid this amount to the church as part of our contribution,” she said.

According to the villagers, they offer prayers to the Cross on the hilltop. Now, they have symbolically placed a  five-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ on a platform there.

The tallest statue will come up nearby for which Congress leader DK Shivakumar laid the foundation stone last month.

Lewis and Mary, another couple who are also sericulture workers, have four children. They too have committed to pay the money for the statue.

Asked how they will raise such a huge amount, Mary said, “If I need money for my children’s education or marriage, I will take a loan. Paying Rs 1 lakh to the church is my responsibility and I will do it by taking a loan.”

Lily Mary, who is married to a farmer and lives in Sipayi Doddi, has a special connection with  Kapala Betta.

“My daughter was about to deliver a baby. Doctors in Bengaluru said they could save either the mother or the baby. We went to the hilltop and prayed. Now, my granddaughter is five years old. Both mother and daughter are healthy. I have been saving money every month for the statue. We are happy that it is coming up in our place.’’

You will find a sprinkling of Hindus here. They too offer prayers at Kapala Betta –  like Ramu and his son-in-law Krishna, residents of DK Nagar (named after Congress leaders DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh who constructed 40 houses free of cost).

“We have no issues with the Christ statue coming up here. We were neither told to convert nor contribute,” said Krishna.

Many villagers told TNIE that they only want land and are not asking for money from the government.

Susheelamma from Kadledoddi said, “There is no Shiva temple here as claimed by a political party. Even Hindus visit and they do not have a problem.”

But a few Hindus did object.

Bogesh (name changed) said, “We are minorities here. Our children will get influenced by Christianity. We cannot leave this place, we were born and brought up here. There are some Hindu temples which are in a bad state. Why isn’t anyone bothering to get them repaired,” he asked.

Reacting to the rally, Shivakumar said that BJP is in power, so let them do what they want.

BENGALURU: Thousands of BJP, RSS and VHP workers took part in ‘Kanakapura Chalo’ — a protest rally against the proposed 114-foot Jesus Christ statue in Kapali Betta. Kanakapura assembly segment is represented by former Congress minister  DK Shivakumar, who had laid the foundation for the statue on December 25.

The rally began from Ayyappa Swamy Temple and concluded with a public meeting at Channabasappa Circle in Kanakapura. Senior RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, who was leading the rally, addressed the gathering, claiming the people living in and around Kapali hill do not want the statue. “Why Jesus statue? Why cannot we erect a statue of Basavanna or Vishveshatheertha of Pejawar mutt or Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, who has contributed to the nation?’’ Bhat questioned. He blamed Shivakumar for going ahead with the plan just to please his party high command Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and former MLC Ashwath Narayan Gowda alleged that forced conversions are happening and that the brothers (Shivakumar and DK Suresh) are supporting this, which is unfortunate. “Kapali Betta was worshipped by Hindus, by erecting a Jesus Christ statue here, they are trying to break the harmony,’’ he alleged.

Reacting to the rally, Shivakumar said that BJP is in power, so let them do what they want. “I do not know who Kalladka Prabhakar is. I believe in humanity. In a democracy, there is a ruling party and an opposition. Anyone can come to Kanakapura, any leader or minister. We welcome them,” said Shivakumar. BJP leaders are alleging that this land is a gomala (grazing land) and belongs to the government, while Shivakumar is making it privatized.

About the Kashmir issue, Swamy said that there was much hullabaloo about abrogation of Article 370.

BENGALURU: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, who was felicitated in Bengaluru by Virat Hindustan Sangam for 50 years of public service on Sunday, spoke about the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying the Act provides citizenship to illegal migrants, and will in no way affect Muslims in the country.

Addressing the gathering, he said there were too many protests against CAA happening. “Many are protesting against the CAA, but they have not read the bill. I think most Congress people cannot read and write.

What is the bill about? That those who were persecuted because of their religion and left Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh came to India, they are still illegal migrants. They cannot get jobs as they do not have any documents. 

For 70 years, Congress was speaking about giving them citizenship, but they did not implement this. Our (Indian) Muslim minorities and their citizenship is not affected at all because of CAA. As Muslims are not persecuted in Pakistan and Bangladesh due to their religion, Muslims were not included in the list,” Swamy said.

About the Kashmir issue, Swamy said that there was much hullabaloo about abrogation of Article 370. “See what has happened. Not even a  single bullet has been fired there. Yes, there are some people in jail. But if we had let them out, terrorists might have even killed them. For their safety, we have arrested them,” he said, without taking any names.

He further said that Kashmir is still partly in the hands of Pakistan. “It is called PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) and we are ready to take it back,” Swamy said. 

Aurangabad, Jan 10: Rishikesh Dewerkar, arrested by Karnataka SIT in the journalist Gauri Lankesh murder, was living in central Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city until 2016 and sold Patanjali products, the people who knew him said here on Friday.

The Special Investigation Team of Karnataka arrested him from Katras town near Dhanbad in Jharkhand on Thursday.

In Aurangabad, Dewerkar sold Patanjali products from a shop he had rented in M2 area here from local resident Jagdish Kulkarni.

According to Kulkarni, he ran the shop from 2014 to 2016. “He paid rent on time. Beyond that we had no interaction,” he said.

In 2016, he shifted to a house owned by Yeshwant Shukla in the same area.

“The longest meeting I had with him was when he came to fianalise agreement for the house in February 2016 describing him as taciturn.

“He said he wanted a house on the ground floor as his parents were old. He himself stayed there for only one and a half months,” Shukla said.

“He then shifted to Solapur and his parents continued to live in the house till April 2019. He used to visit them for a day or a night. His parents did stitching work. Last year they shifted to Mumbai where their other son lives,” he added.

“Dewerkar’s involvement in the Gauri Lankesh case is a shock to all of us,” Shukla added.

Dewerkar is the 17th accused to be arrested in the Lankesh murder case.

Lankesh, a firebrand journalist and writer, was shot dead in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017.

An official of the SIT said Dewerkar was suspected to be part of the conspiracy to kill Lankesh.