Bengaluru: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has written a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, urging his government not to celebrate ‘Hindi Diwas’ by utilising the taxpayers’ money.

The former Chief Minister said that forcefully celebrating Hindi Diwas, which happens to be on September 14, would amount to “injustice” to the people of Karnataka.

“Celebrating the Union government-sponsored Hindi Diwas programme on September 14, forcefully in Karnataka, will be an injustice to Kannadigas by the State government. I urge that for no reason Karnataka government should celebrate Hindi Diwas by utilising the State’s taxpayers’ money,” Kumaraswamy said in his letter.

Noting that thousands of languages and dialects, over 560 princely States, and diverse social and cultural practices make India a “great union”, he said, “In such a land, celebrating one particular language is injustice…”

Earlier, Kumaraswamy had opposed the Hindi Diwas celebrations, stating that it holds no meaning for those whose mother tongue is not Hindi, and demanded it be scrapped.

There was a large-scale social media outrage, also protests by pro-Kannada organisations to Hindi Diwas last year, calling it “imposition of Hindi”.

BENGALURU: Despite prices rising, Bengaluru sinking and unemployed youth angry, the BJP went ahead with its Janaspandana to celebrate three years of party government in the state, criticised Congress leader Priyank Kharge, here on Sunday.

Even the meagre list of achievements given by CM Basavaraj Bommai is a bundle of lies, he said. “Bommai claimed that over 20 lakh students have benefited from the Vidyanidhi scheme. But it was launched only last month.

According to government data, not more than 10 lakh have applied,” Kharge said. The government announced that 150 hostels will be constructed for Scheduled Castes and minorities at Rs 259 crore, but the government should check its budget before making such announcements, he said. The government claimed that 50,000 jobs were created, but still 30,056 youth committed suicide in 2021, which is as per the central government data, he said. 

BENGALURU: Senior JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy held a detailed discussion with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the prevailing political scenario in the country at former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s residence in New Delhi on Monday evening.

“People wish that the Janata Parivar, which took shape following Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement and later broke into factions, get united again in the interest of the country. That was why I initiated this move,” Kumaraswamy said after the meeting.

JDS state president CM Ibrahim, who too was present at the meeting, said the interaction was crucial following the recent political developments in Bihar. “It’s good for the country’s politics and democracy,” he added.

He said Nitish praised Kumaraswamy’s style of functioning and delivering goods to the people and farmers when he was the chief minister. “Nitish was also impressed with the Janatha Jaladhare programme that has been launched by JDS in the runup to the 2023 Assembly polls,” he added.

As JDU Karnataka president Mahima Patel too was present, there was speculation that JDS and JDU could share some seats in the 2023 Assembly polls. As JDS is focusing on only 123 of the 224 Assembly seats, it could extend support to JDU in some constituencies of North Karnataka, sources said.

For Nitish, who is said to be nursing the ambition of becoming Prime Minister, meeting anti-BJP forces including the regional parties especially down South is crucial, political pundits said. Kumaraswamy’s meeting with Nitish may also help JDS scrub the allegations of the party being dubbed the B team of BJP and safeguard its credential as a secular party.

With Deve Gowda not keeping well for sometime due to age-related ailments, the meeting also gave an indication of Kumaraswamy stepping into the shoes of his father in attending to political affairs at the national level.

“Complaining is a very easy job. Solving the problem is a distant thing. “Whose fault is it to merge hundreds of villages into greater Bengaluru and not take up any development?” Sudhakar questioned.

BENGALURU: Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr K Sudhakar said on Tuesday that any city in the world would have faced a similar crisis as Bengaluru did if it received the same amount of heavy rain as it received here.

Referring to the collapse of infrastructure and many residential areas inundated affecting the normal life in many parts of Bengaluru, especially in areas considered as IT hubs, Sudhakar stated that it was true that Bengaluru city was disturbed by heavy rain. He said the volume of rainfall was unheard of in the city’s history.

He further questioned the former director of Infosys Mohandas Pai, who wrote a letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on crumbling infrastructure following the rain. Sudhakar said, “What would have happened if New York City would have received the same amount of excessive rain as here?

“Complaining is a very easy job. Solving the problem is a distant thing. “Whose fault is it to merge hundreds of villages into greater Bengaluru and not take up any development?” Sudhakar questioned.

“During this crisis time, citizens must join their hands with the government to face the situation. This is not the time for the blame game,” he underlined.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, ministers from Bengaluru, elected representatives, officers and members of various organisations were working day and night. Bengaluru city, built by Nadaprabhu Kempa Gowda (ruler of Bengaluru), has evolved into a big city in terms of development.

The lakes built in those times have disappeared. Houses and commercial constructions have come up on stormwater drains. People have constructed their houses in low-lying areas and layouts. “Our government has got this situation as a gift from successive governments. However, we will take this as a challenge and handle the situation.”

“This is a gift of variations of global climatic conditions… We have to work unitedly towards building a clean and environment-friendly city,” the minister stated, also warning that nature could be disastrous.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress on Tuesday organised a protest against the failure of the BJP government in Karnataka to handle the situation following heavy rain in Bengaluru and other parts of the state at the Freedom Park.

Incessant rainfall in Bengaluru has affected the infrastructure badly and thrown life out of gear. Due to the fury of rain, the supply of drinking water to half of Bengaluru has been affected. Many regions were inundated and boats were being used to shift people.

NEW DELHI: A person has a right to practise religion but the question is whether it can be taken to a school which has a prescribed uniform, the Supreme Court observed on Monday while hearing the Karnataka Hijab ban row.

Hearing arguments on a batch of pleas challenging the Karnataka High Court verdict refusing to lift the ban on hijab in educational institutions of the state, the apex court asked whether a student can wear a hijab to a school where a uniform has been prescribed.

“You may have a religious right to practise whatever you want to practise. But can you practise and take that right to a school which has a uniform as a part of the dress you have to wear? That will be the question,” said a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia. The apex court posed the question to senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, who was arguing for some of the petitioners.

Considering the contention of senior advocate Sanjay Hegde that dress code was not among the subjects on which the state could formulate rules, the bench comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia asked whether students could come in middies, miniskirts if the state did not have the power to prescribe uniforms. 

“If there is no specific power, Article 161 will come in. If there is no such power to prescribe uniforms, can girls come in middies, miniskirts, whatever they want? If there is no prescription, then the state’s executive power comes into play. We need not follow what the HC has said. If the act doesn’t prohibit or prescribe any dress code, will the executive power of the state come or not?” the bench remarked. 

Hegde contended that the government order (GO) dated February 5 passed by the state that did not allow students to wear hijab or customary Islamic headscarf to educational institutions created a substantial disadvantage for Muslim women. 

Also in top court

‘Abhishek may seek nod for abroad visit’
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday told the Supreme Court that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee may seek approval from a local court for going abroad for a medical procedure. A bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice S Ravindra Bhat took note of the joint submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Kapil Sibal.

Seeks ECI reply on ‘use of religion’
The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice in a plea filed by Syed Wasim Rizvi, former chairman of UP Shia Central Waqf Board to cancel the symbol and name of political parties using religion in their name or carrying religious connotations in their symbol. The bench sought a response from ECI and the Centre and also asked the petitioner to implead political parties.

Seeks Centre reply on neutral laws
The Supreme Court Monday sought a ‘comprehensive response’ within three weeks from the Centre on a batch of petitions seeking a direction to the government to frame religion and gender-neutral uniform laws for divorce, adoption, guardianship, succession, inheritance, maintenance, marriage age, and alimony.

‘No govt security to pvt hosiptals’
The SC on Monday said the Centre and the state governments cannot be expected to provide security cover to private hospitals, which are business enterprises and have to make their security arrangements.   The apex court was hearing a petition seeking directions to the authorities to ensure adequate security at hospitals.

Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru | PC: Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru/Facebook

Chitradurga: The students of Murugha Math were shifted to the government hostel here after a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against the chief pontiff Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru for the alleged sexual abuse of high school girls.

Many parents too took their children home after the controversy broke out and the seer was booked.

The pontiff was also charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on Tuesday as one of the survivors is a Dalit girl, sources in police department said.

The case under the SC/ST Act was registered after Dalit organisations staged a protest on Tuesday, demanding the immediate arrest of Sharanaru, they said.

It is learnt that the police team is frequently visiting the Math and the hostel ever since the case came to light.

Sharanaru has claimed that the allegations were part of a long-drawn conspiracy against him, indicated an inside job, and vowed to come out clean in the case.

The chief pontiff of one of the Lingayat seminaries in the state, the seer also said he was law-abiding and would cooperate with the investigation.

The Mysuru city police on Saturday filed an FIR against the seer under the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and certain sections of the Indian Penal Code for the alleged sexual abuse.

The FIR was registered against a total of five people, including the warden of the monastery’s hostel, based on the complaint by an officer of the District Child Protection Unit.

Two girls had approached a non-governmental organisation in Mysuru and narrated the alleged abuse following which it contacted the authorities and the case was registered by the police. It was subsequently shifted to Chitradurga, the place where the alleged crime took place.

Parmesh S Jain

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he is proud to be associated with RSS and with its ideology and patriotism.

Reacting to Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah’s statements by the media here on Friday,he said he will pity Siddaramaiah.

While he has an association with a big patriotic organisation,let opposition leader question himself that with which organisation he is associated with, he added.

Parmesh S Jain

The Banaswadi police arrested a Kerala based peddler and recovered MDMA Crystal powder worth Rs.35 lakh from him.

The accused identified as,Munafis KP alias tony,native of kerala.

Senior officer told reporters,the Banaswadi police Sub-inspector received a tip off that a person near BBMP Park in HRBR layout is in possession of some narcotics substance and is waiting to deliver the same to his contacts.

Based on tip off a team of police headed by PSI,Nagaraj and his crime staff swung into action and rushed to the spot and kept a close watch on his movements without giving any hint the team after getting confirmation the team approached him by surrounding the area and when they questioned him for whom he was waiting.

His body language and behaviour while questioning was not convinced by the team later the team intercepted him and found drugs substance in his possession the team apprehended him and took to station for further investigation.

During investigation the accused confessed the crime and revealed that he was arrested by Dubai police on similar offense and after spending there years in prison,he returned to Bengaluru and continue to peddle drugs.

The drug peddler had come from Dubai and settled in a rented house in HSR layout in Bengaluru to peddle drugs.

A detailed investigation by the team it has revealed that his clinets are students and IT professionals who used to approach him through WhatsApp calls to avoid undue attention.

The accused would send his location on WhatsApp based on requirements and supply drugs.

With his arrest the team recovered 700 grams of MDMA Crystal powder and cocaine worth of Rs.35 lakhs from him.

The Banaswadi police have booked him under NDPS act and taken into custody to ascertain his network and further investigation is on.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,C H Pratap Reddy has appreciated Addl CP East,Dr A subramanyeshwara Rao,DCP East,Dr Bheemashankar S Guled,ACP,NB Sakkari,PI,L Santhosh Kumar,PSIs,as Nagaraj Nedalgi,Ansar Khan,and crime staff as,Mohammad Rafi,Murali Krishna,Annappa,Ramakrishna,Nandish,Suresh, Basavaraju and others has been appreciated for the exemplary and meticulous investigation done by them in nabbing the Notorious habitual drug peddler who returned from Dubai to peddle drugs and make easy money is now again cooling his heels in jail a suitable reward will be given to whole team he added.

Parmesh S Jain

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai termed 40 per cent commission charges as ‘politically motivated’since it has been made without evidences.

Asked by reporters in Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday about Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah’s demand for an inquiry into 40 per cent commission charges,he said charges must be specific and accompanied with evidences. Without this only baseless press statements are made.

Approach Lokayukta

Bommai said there is an autonomous institution called Lokayukta to probe such cases.Recently, as per directions from the Karnataka High Court the powers of Anti-corruption Bureau had been given to Lokayukta.

Everyone has power to give complaint against anybody in that institution.But,politically motivated statements are issued.

Kempanna’s Contractors’s Association was not alone as there are Associations’ of Contractors who are executing the works of BBMP,PWD and other organisations.

But everybody have understood the motive of the media statements after meeting Siddaramaiah.

They say MLAs of all parties are involved in corruption.If this scandal had prevailed in the previous government why it did not come to light, he questioned.

Total transparency

He said a total transparency and seniority are strictly observed by clearing the pending bills. There are number of Contractors Association and strict instruction is given of not giving more than five per cent contract to any Association.

The bills of small contractors are cleared.The government has brought in transparency and seniority while cleaning the bills.

Their demands of small packages have been agreed and issued order.Despite doing all these things still they are making charges,what does it mean?

“Let them disclose the name officer who is not following rules.Why they did not reveal the names? Yesterday they have disclosed the name.

Already,Minister Munirathna has said that he will file a defamation suit and also file a complaint. So,action will be initiated”,he said.

Give evidence

Reacting to Congress leaders statements,the CM shot back,did they get all the cases probed while the Congress Party was in power? Are they Sathya Harishchandras?.

This is a clear cut case of politically motivated statements.Without any basis the Contractors are working like politicians.

I told the same thing to Kempanna when he met me.He was asked to give evidences.All their demands are met.

Our government issued order when they said tender must not be over Rs One crore and taluk level as it will be very big and increase in estimate too.

To check this tense scrutiny committee headed by a retired judge has been constituted.The tender document will be fully scrutinised before preparing estimate.

The committee will also vet tender rules.An utmost translation followed and contractors must make use of the same”.

On a question about revival of the Madrassas by Primary Education Minister B.C.Nagesh,the CM said the demand for the reforms of Madrassas has come from them and based on which the minister has convened a meeting.

Parmesh S Jain

The State Cabinet meeting held on Thursday has taken a decision to extend Vidyanidhi scheme to the children of agricultural labourers,said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Speaking after inaugurating a slew of developmental workers and laying foundation stones for new pronects in Ranebennur Assembly Constituency,he said 4,000 angawadi centres are established specially to provide nutritious food for the kids of agricultural labourers.

Besides, Rs 50,000 scheme has been formulated for the rural artisans.

Fulfilling promises

The CM said the BJP government in the state was working as promised during election.As promised, 24*7 drinking water has been supplied to the people of Ranebennur.

Works have stated for 2 Medleri and Holeanaveri Irrigation schemes and already sanctioned Rs. 206 crore.

Ranebennur has been given Rs.45 crore under Nagarotthana scheme which was hughes.Apart from this,a special grant of Rs.75 to Rs.100 crore has been sanctioned.

A textile park is coming in up as promised in State budget.It will provide employment to around 5000 persons and this park will start functioning from this year.

He said special programs will be formulated for handloom and power looms of this region.The government has sanctioned a sericulture market to be established at a cost of Rs.30 crore.

The CM said Rs.400 crore was sanctioned to establish a medical college in Haveri which has started functioning from January this year.

Irrigation facility is provided for one lakh acres of land in Haveri,Ranebennur and Hangal and it shows the committment of the government. Several lift irrigation schemes will be dedicated to people soon,he added.