corridors of power

without the usual enthusiasm

Contrary to the buildup given by local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mangaluru will usher in a “new era” in coastal Karnataka, Mr Modi said in his 25-minute address at a public function on September 2. So neither announced any path-breaking initiative for the development of the coastal region nor for Karnataka.

Clearly apathetic or weary, the prime minister did not greet the audience in Tulu, the local dialect, as he does everywhere. His speech, apparently lacking in general zeal, focused on projects and schemes already executed by the government which were already in the public domain. Yet many on social media lauded him for his mature address without taking a jibe at any opposition party/party. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister on several occasions compared the situation after 2014 and before 2014.

While there was heavy flooding in Ramanagaram district during Ganesh Chaturthi and the blame was on the unscientifically executed Bengaluru-Mangaluru Expressway by the National Highways Authority of India, the prime minister claimed that the central government spent over Rs 70,000 crore on the improvement of highways in Karnataka. have done. With NHAI struggling to complete the 4-laning of Bengaluru-Mangaluru National Highway 75 between Hassan and BC Road in Sakleshpur taluk for seven years, Mr Modi announced that highway projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crore was in the pipeline. in Karnataka.

Interestingly, Mr. Modi named Karnataka Governor, Chief Minister and other ministers on stage, but did not name former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who was recently inducted into the BJP’s parliamentary board, before starting his speech. was. Yet, unlike Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai or state BJP president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, the crowd cheered Mr Yeddyurappa to appear on stage and mention his name during speeches.

all inclusive peace march

Shivamogga has been in the news for all the wrong reasons for the past few months like the murder of a Hindutva activist, protests over the hijab controversy and the struggle over displaying VD Savarkar’s portrait during the Independence Day celebrations. All these incidents seem to tarnish the image of the district.

In an effort to ensure peace and uplift the image of the city and the district, a group of progressive organizations took out a peace march – Shanti Kadage Namma Nadige (Our March Towards Peace). Interestingly, the district court judges, Deputy Commissioner R. Selvamani and SP BM Lakshmi Prasad gave their support in this. The event received an overwhelming response.

Hundreds of people took part in the march, which was led by Hindu saints, clerics and Christian priests. Senior district court judges also participated in the march for half an hour and left for their court proceedings by 11 am, they also participated in the event where a vehicle built two days ago to spread the message of love and harmony was green. was flagged off. ,

However, this effort did not go down well with the political heads of the ruling government, who often criticize those associated with progressive organisations. The organizers wondered why the BJP opposed the march to spread peace and harmony.

Anger at the rules (optional, if more)

BJP leaders have rushed to condemn a statement by ADGP Alok Kumar that Ganesh Mandals who want to have photographs of national leaders or others will have to seek permission from local self-government bodies. However, it seems that the opposition is based on neither logic nor law and the officer is being targeted for merely stating a legal provision.

“If any person or organization wants to put a picture in a private place, then it is free to do so,” he said. But if they want to put up pictures, posters or banners in public places, they have to take permission from the Municipal Corporation, Municipality or the concerned Gram Panchayat. If this is not done, the local police officials will ensure that the organizers face legal action,” the senior IPS officer told reporters during his recent visit to Belagavi. The officer said that this is in accordance with the law.

This angered some BJP leaders. MLA Abhay Patil strongly condemned it. “We are not putting up Afzal Guru’s pictures,” he roared, arguing that no one’s permission is required to place any image in the mandalas. He asked his followers to put up the images of VD Savarkar, the icon of Hindutva, in every circle. MLA Anil Benke argued that such rules were being imposed on Hindus.

Anil Kumar Shastri

Satish GT

Hrishikesh Bahadur Desai