Dalits demand Pejavar seer's arrest

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June 14, 2011

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Udupi, June 14: Members of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Monday protesting against the statement of Vishvesha Tirtha swamiji of Pejawar Math on the conversion of 2,000 Dalits into Buddhism.


DSS State unit organising convenor Prakash Byadarahalli said the claim of the swamiji that Buddhism was a part of Hinduism was false. “Buddhism treats everyone equally and emphasises on cooperative living,” he said.


Casteism was rampant in Hinduism. There were nearly 6,700 cases of atrocities on Dalits in the State but action had not been taken on these cases and the guilty were roaming free. The Pejawar seer could not digest the fact that 2,000 Dalits embraced Buddhism in Udupi on May 24.


His statement that untouchability could not be eradicated by Dalits embracing Buddhism pointed to his disappointment and cynicism. It reflected the bankruptcy of the priestly class, Mr. Byadarahalli said.


In a memorandum addressed to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and submitted at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, the DSS said the Pejawar seer should accept the fact that the Dalits were not Hindus since ancient times. He should explain how the Dalits were Hindus and why they should stay with Hinduism. The incidents at Chandragutti and Savadatti, which took place a couple of decades ago, showed how a religion could behave with its adherents. The seer should first put an end to the social evil of 'Devadasi' system. Then the seer could take up the issue of giving “Deekshe” to the Dalits.


Conversion was a right given by the Constitution. India was a secular country which treated all religions equally. The Dalits need not take lessons on religion from the Pejawar seer.


The Pejawar seer's statement that casteism could not be wiped out was unconstitutional and a provocation to disrupt social harmony. The Government should take legal action against the swamiji under the Untouchability (Offences) Act, the memorandum added.


DSS leaders Hovappa Master, Shyamraj Birti, and T. Manjunath Giliyaru were present.

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News Network
November 14,2024

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Bengaluru: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government has requested the Karnataka High Court to direct the Mandya district administration and the state government to clear a madrasa operating within the premises of the historic Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna.

The Waqf Board, opposing this move, has claimed the mosque as its property and defended the right to conduct madrasa activities there.

The matter was brought before a division bench headed by Chief Justice N V Anjaria following a public interest litigation filed by a person named Abhishek Gowda from Kabbalu village in Kanakapura taluk. The petition alleged “unauthorised madrasa activities” within the mosque.

Representing the Central government, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka, K Arvind Kamath argued that the Jama Masjid was designated as a protected monument in 1951, yet unauthorised madrasa operations continue there.

He noted that concerns over potential law and order issues have so far prevented any intervention. Kamath urged the court to direct the Mandya district administration to take action and vacate the madrasa from the mosque.

In defence, lawyers for the state government and the Waqf Board contested this request, stating that the Waqf Board had been recognised as the owner of the property since 1963 and, thus, conducting madrasa activities there is lawful.

After hearing both sides, the bench adjourned the case for further arguments, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.

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News Network
November 10,2024

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Mangaluru: A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in the quiet Bellayuru village on the outskirts of Mangaluru as a man’s life ended on a railway track following an apparent double murder. Authorities from the Mulki police station identified the man as Karthik Bhat, 32, whose lifeless body was discovered on the tracks with his head positioned on the rail, indicating a tragic suicide.

Nearby, police recovered keys to a scooter and a house, which eventually led them to uncover a series of chilling events. Following the trail, officers located Bhat’s scooter parked near Mahammayi Temple. Inside the vehicle, they found documents confirming his identity, including an RC, insurance papers, and his driving license.

Their search continued to Bhat's home in Pakshikere, Kemral village, where they discovered a locked room. With the keys retrieved from the tracks, police unlocked the door, only to be confronted by a horrifying sight. The bodies of Priyanka (28) and her young son Hriday (4) lay in a pool of blood, pointing to a brutal murder that occurred just hours before Bhat’s suicide.

Initial investigations suggest Bhat, beleaguered by ongoing family disputes, committed the murders of his wife and son on the evening of November 8 before tragically ending his own life. A death note found in his diary hinted at his mental state and tragic intentions.

Priyanka’s family, residing in Shivamogga, was informed of the incident. The couple, married for six years, now leaves behind grieving relatives and unanswered questions. Police have initiated formal proceedings, collecting statements from family members as they continue their investigation into the tragic sequence of events.

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News Network
November 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over his claim that the BJP had offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs in an attempt to "topple" the state government.

Addressing reporters here, Shivakumar, also the Congress state president, said, “The BJP indeed lured 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each.”

He defended Siddaramaiah’s statement and said the Congress MLAs were briefed about the BJP’s alleged 'Operation Lotus', a term used to describe the BJP's attempts to destabilise ruling governments through horse-trading.

“Some of our MLAs informed the Chief Minister about this matter, and he, in turn, shared it with the media,” Shivakumar said.

At an event in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah reiterated the claim that "none of the Congress MLAs had accepted the offer".

He also accused the BJP of filing false cases against him in a bid to "remove him and overthrow his government".

The BJP has yet to respond to the allegations.

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