Why Karnataka’s native Amrit Mahal cattle are in urgent need of better conservation

Animal Welfare

The Amrit Nahal is a draughty, native breed of Karnataka that can toil and endure for long hours at a stretch, but their numbers are dwindling.

Amoolya Rajappa

All images by Amoolya Rajappa

Tippeswamy has spent most of his adult life tending to Amrit Mahal calves at the breeding centre in Ajjampura, a small town in Tarikere taluk in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. The centre has been taking efforts to conserve Amrit Mahal, a draught breed of cattle, native to the southern parts of Karnataka. Known as Benne Chawadi earlier, the muscular Amrit Mahal cattle are believed to have originated from the Hallikar breed, which was cross-bred with Hagalavadi and Chithradurg breeds. Despite the efforts at the breeding centre and its sub-centres, the number of Amrit Mahal cattle has been steadily declining and its characteristics changing due to lack of upkeep. Concerned citizens seek government support and intervention to reverse the situation. Royal patronage Historically, Amrit Mahal was the only breed that enjoyed royal patronage from Vijayanagara kings to the Sultans and Wodeyers of Mysore. From 1617 to 1704, several Wodeyer kings supported the development of these cattle by assigning designated semi-arid grasslands called kavals across the state, as grazing land. After the reign of Wodeyers, the legacy continued under Haider Ali, the first ruler to have used this breed in warfare. His son Tipu Sultan organized the stocks into gun, pack and plough bullocks. He renamed the cattle as Amrit Mahal and issued hukamnama (regulations under royal decree) for their upkeep. After the death of Tipu Sultan in the fourth Anglo-Mysore War of 1799, the Amrit Mahal troops and the department fell into the hands of the British, eventually leading to loss of patronage. Strength and resilience According to Tippeswamy, the most striking features of the Amrit Mahal breed are its strength and sensitivity. “Once fed, they can walk continuously, toil and endure for long hours at a stretch,” he told VillageSquare.in. “However, they are shy and secretive when it comes to delivering their calves.” Noting Amrit Mahal’s tolerance to drought-like conditions and their contribution in military transport, a Professor Wallace was quoted in a 1895 book on the cattle of Mysore, comparing the form, temper and endurance to a thoroughbred horse. Established in 1929, the Amrit Mahal Cattle Breeding and Training Centre in Ajjampura now houses 338 Amrit Mahal cattle. There are over 2,000 Amrit Mahal cows and buffaloes being sheltered in the 8 sub-centres under the administrative limits of Ajjampura centre. Each of the cattle is numbered for easy identification. “The centre mostly nurtures cows and sells buffaloes over two years for agricultural activities in a public auction every year, with the highest bids going over Rs 1.5 lakh,” Kaleshappa (48), veterinary inspector at the Ajjampura centre, told VillageSquare.in. “We restrain from selling cows to prevent breeding of hybrids that would compromise on the originality of the breed.” Inadequate manpower Tippeswamy recalled a time in the 1970-80s, when the breeding centre employed close to 120 workers for maintenance of the cattle. The labour-intensive activities included giving a special feed to the cattle, overseeing their grazing, clearing cow dung, etc. Today, the centre has less than 20 people. The main reason for the centre being understaffed is monthly paid labourers (MPL) being replaced by outsourced workers. “The tenders are called at high level meetings in Bengaluru and the contractors who get the tenders are least interested in conservation,” said Tippeswamy. Shivanand. S (59), with the support of Janadani, an NGO, has mobilised people in and around Ajjampura to press for greater governmental concern and accountability in conserving the breed. “Most of these outsourced contract labourers are overworked and do not receive governmental benefits,” he told VillageSquare.in. “Absenteeism makes things worse”. Lack of upkeep The sprawling 794-acre Amrit Mahal cattle breeding and training centre on the outskirts of Ajjamura has green pastures, a huge lake and, tracts of cultivated African maize and sorghum crops. However, with ramshackle cattle sheds, abandoned feeding pits and rampant growth of invasive weeds, maintenance is found to be wanting. A weighing machine imported from Britain lies in shambles covered by plant outgrowth. The prickly honey mesquite is quite widespread in the premises. “These thorny bushes are no obstructions for the formidable Amrit Mahal. They charge through easily,” said Kaleshappa. Women workers digging dried up cow dung from the mud floor of the shelters is a common sight. “Last October, a newborn calf died by suffocating in the long accumulated pile of gobar,” said Shivanand. Tippeswamy said that decisions were being taken without thorough field visits. Officials at the centre said that increasing the number of workers and grants to improve the infrastructure, especially providing rain-proof sheds, could be big steps towards enhanced conservation efforts of the Amrit Mahal breed. Change in traits Lack of proper care over the years has led to changes in the characteristics of the breed, including poor milk quality. “15 years ago, everybody who grew up in Ajjampura drank fresh, protein-rich milk of Amrit Mahal cows each morning. Today, children don’t know the real taste and essence of that high quality milk,” said Shivanand. “Earlier, a newborn calf weighed about 20-23 kg. But now that has reduced to about 8-10 kg. The number of new births has almost halved in the past decade,” said Tippeswamy. Encroachment of kavals At the time of independence, Karnataka had about 4 lakh acres of kavals spread over the southern districts of Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Davangere, Tumkur, Hassan and Mandya. Today, all that remains with the Animal Husbandry Department is about 60,000 acres of kaval land, out which over 20,000 acres is alleged to be encroached. “Encroachment is a norm in almost all breeding centres and sub-centres,” said Tippeswamy. Though many instances of land grabbing, mismanagement and conversion of kavals have been reported in the recent past, little has changed for the better. In Basur sub-centre, guards who were permitted to grow ragi, maize and hay for cattle feed were reprimanded for indulging in large-scale cultivation of cash crops. Official apathy In Challakere of Chitraduraga district, huge swathes of the Amrit Mahal kaval that critically supports the sustenance and livelihoods of many pastoral communities was diverted by the government for various defence projects by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). In 2008, the state government headed by B.S. Yediyurappa had mulled over an attempt to transfer the maintenance of Amrit Mahal to Ramachandrapura Mutt. “It was the advocacy efforts of various village groups that stopped commercialisation of conservation efforts,” said Shivanand. Apart from affecting the grazing activities of Amrit Mahal, rapid depletion of these sensitive grasslands also present an imminent threat to the survival of critically endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican and other fauna. Local residents said that the authorities concerned have no dearth of funds, cattle feed or resources. “No other governmental department has such extent of ecologically rich land in Karnataka,” said Shivanand. “Also, the sale of Amrit Mahal buffaloes brings revenue in crores of rupees. Still, it is sad that we get to hear of Amrit Mahal deaths due to starvation and negligence.” Need for proactive measures Amrit Mahal Ulise Horata Samiti, supported by Janadani, has repeatedly pushed for assurances from ruling governments for better conservation of the indigenous cattle breed. “We need government officials who are sensitive to this pressing issue to be posted at the breeding centres. They need to put aside their self-interests, prevent laundering of funds and implement conservation measures,” said Shivanand, reiterating the demands of their civic movement. Many people are urging the government to establish a separate authority headed by an IAS officer, to oversee the preservation of Amrit Mahal cows. “We have submitted a memorandum in this regard which is yet to be deliberated upon in the cabinet,” said Shivanand. On the importance of conserving Amrit Mahal, “It is the most superior and enduring breed of cattle ever. It can walk tirelessly up to 12 hours, is hard working and has served people in Karnataka for centuries. They definitely deserve better,” Tippeswamy told VillageSquare.in. Amoolya Rajappa is a Bengaluru-based journalist. Views are personal. The original article was published on VillageSquare.in and can be found here. 

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Cong-JD(S) disqualified MLAs can contest on BJP ticket in bye-polls: Yediyurappa

Politics

The BJP now faces dissent from within as many leaders don't want the disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs to usurp their positions.

TNM Staff

Giving more strength to widespread speculation that BJP orchestrated the rebellion of 17 JD(S)-Congress MLAs, the party has now said that these MLAs can contest on a BJP ticket 'if they so wish'. The statement from Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday came amidst massive speculation that the BJP is hesitant to allot tickets to the disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs. Speaking to the media at Shikharipura in Shivamogga district, Yediyurappa said that all those who abandoned the Congress and JD(S) ship will be given tickets to contest the bye-elections. “Bye-elections are coming up and the Election Commission has announced dates for the bye-polls in 15 segments. Amit Shah has assured us that those who have resigned (disqualified former Congress and JD(S) rebel MLAs) and want to contest on a BJP ticket will be given tickets. It is our responsibility to do so,” Yediyurappa said. In order to pacify BJP leaders who were also aspiring for tickets, BS Yediyurappa said that they would be accommodated and would be made in-charge of state-run boards and corporations. “What I want to tell those who resigned is this. If you (disqualified MLAs) want to contest on a BJP ticket, the party’s cadre will work for you and ensure your victory,” BS Yediyurappa added. Yediyurappa’s announcement came in the wake of severe opposition from within the party on allocating tickets to disqualified MLAs. BJP MLA from Hukkeri Umesh Katti on Sunday said that disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs would have to find their own way and that BJP would not be giving them tickets. “If they (disqualified MLAs) are hoping that they will fight as BJP candidates, then they are wrong. We will go our own way in the upcoming bye-elections. We will give tickets to defeated candidates Ashok Pujari from Gokak, Raju Kage from Kagwad and Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi from Athani,” Umesh Katti had said. The bye-elections are slated to be held on December 5 for 15 of the 17 Assembly segments. Of these Congress had won in 15 segments while JD(S) had one in 3. The Supreme Court is hearing the petition filed by the 17 disqualified MLAs, seeking to quash the order passed by former Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, that had disqualified them and also barred them from contesting elections till the end of this legislative assembly.    

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Bengaluru mayoral polls on Tuesday, will BJP take hold of city council after 4 years?

Politics

Currently, the BBMP council is controlled by a JD(S)-Congress coalition, even though the BJP has more corporators.

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational Image

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials announced that the mayoral elections along with elections for chairpersons for four Standing Committees will be held on Tuesday as scheduled. Earlier in the day, there were reports suggesting that the mayoral polls would be deferred due to a Karnataka High Court order. Even Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa hinted that the polls won’t be held for the next one and a half months. However, officials said that nominations will be accepted from the period between 8:00 am to 9:30 am and the same will be verified by 11:30 am. The voting for the Mayor post will take place at 11:30 am. Following which elections for the Deputy Mayor and Standing Committees of Tax and Finance, Health, Accounts and Market will take place.   Currently, the BBMP council is controlled by a JD(S)-Congress coalition, even though the BJP has 101 corporators out of the 198-member council. This is due to the rule that alongside the corporators, all MLAs, MLCs and MPs residing in Bengaluru also have a vote in the mayoral elections taking the voter tally to 257.  However, a top source in the Congress-JD(S) told TNM that the coalition is not hopeful of retaining the council.  Five MLAs from Bengaluru stand disqualified as they paved way for the formation of the BJP government in state along with 10 others, and with this the BJP has a chance at the BBMP council for the first time. seven independent corporators will prove crucial for both the camps and sources say that most of these independents are likely to go with the BJP this time BJP on paper has 101 corporators, four Lok Sabha MPs, two Rajya Sabha MPs, 11 MLAs and 7 MLCs. In addition to this, in 2018, they had an independent councillor aligned with them taking their tally to 126, which is three short of the magic number. On the other hand, the JD(S)-Congress coalition claims it has the support of 131 voters with 90 corporators, one Lok Sabha MP, seven Rajya Sabha MPs, 12 MLAs, 15 MLCs and six independents who voted for them for the last four years.  “Out of the 22 corporators in the five constituencies held by the rebels, we are expecting 15 to abstain from tomorrow’s election, this will easily tilt the balance in favour of BJP,” a top source told TNM, Similarly, TNM had earlier reported that the BJP is in talks with corporators who are loyal to the five disqualified MLAs to vote in its favour.  Candidates  As part of the existing arrangement between the JD(S) and Congress, the Congress had held the Mayor post while JD(S) had settled for the Deputy Mayor post for the last four years. Sources in the Congress said they are counting on Satyanarayana BS and Mohammed Rizwan. For the BJP, party sources said current Leader of Opposition Padmanabha Reddy is the favourite alongside L Srinivas and K Umesh.  A formal announcement from both the camps is awaited.

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Children join their parents in protests against bad roads, traffic jams in Bengaluru

Protest

The young protestors were demanding for the widening of Balagere and Panathur Road, which becomes quickly congested during peak traffic hours.

TNM Staff

Citizen-led protests are not new in the city. However, when over 300 residents from Belagare Road took to protesting on Sunday, it caught everyone’s attention for one specific reason: many of the protestors were young children.   “We want proper drainage,” read one of the placards held by a child. “Help me reach school on time,” read another.   These young protestors were demanding for the widening of Balagere and Panathur Road, which become quickly congested during peak traffic hours. Children of all ages took part in the protest which began at 10 am on Sunday morning and continued until 1 pm in the afternoon.   Holding signs which drew attention to various infrastructural issues in the neighbourhood, several children and adults, gathered demanding for improvements.   Several citizens present at the protest complained that the narrow roads were causing immense congestion, particularly during peak traffic hours, which was leading to several delays when commuting in the mornings and evenings.   Another resident, speaking to TNIE, stated that while officials did repair some roads in the area earlier, the repairs did not last for a long time.   “This protest is just the beginning. Many more protests are being planned in the near future. The condition of the road remains the same for the last four-and-a-half years,” reportedly said Jagadeesh Reddy, a member of Varthur Rising, a citizen-led changemaker initiative.   Several protestors were reportedly upset with officials who failed to take cognisance of the situation. However, responding to all the complaints, Corporator of Ward 149, Pushpa Manjunath stated that Underground Drainage lines were being laid in the concerned areas by the Bangalore Water Supply Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and that the roads would be fixed once the work was done.   This is not the first time that residents of the city have taken to protesting against traffic woes.   Also read: ‘No more commercialisation’: B’luru’s Bellandur residents protest over traffic mess

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Shattered by Mysuru man's sudden death, his wife and two children end their lives

Death

The bodies of the mother and daughter were recovered on Sunday, while a search is still on for the son's body.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

Unable to bear the sudden death of her husband, a 55-year-old woman and their two children, who are from Mysuru, ended their lives on Saturday. The woman and her children drove to Mangaluru and jumped into the Netravati River. The bodies of the mother and daughter were recovered on Sunday, while a search is still on for the son's body.  The Mandanna family -- Kishan (65), Kavita (55), Kaushik (30) and Kalpitha (21) lived in a rented house in Mysuru's Vijayanagara Stage IV.  Kavitha Mandanna found that her husband had passed away in his sleep when she woke up on Saturday morning. Kavita was a homemaker and her two children were engineers, who had returned to Mysuru two months ago, Deccan Herald reported.  Shattered by Kishan's death, the family drove to Mangaluru with their pet dog and ended their lives. Although the mother and her children died, locals rescued the dog, who was trying to swim towards the river bank.  According to the TOI report, Kavita and her children had left a note that read 'We miss you' in the car, which was parked at the Netravati river bridge.  On learning about the incident, relatives of the Mandanna family rushed to the family’s residence in Mysuru, where they found Kishan's body. According to the Vijayanagara police, the victims were originally from Kodagu and had settled in Mysuru. When they drove to the Nethravathi river bridge in Bantwal's Panemangaluru area, they first threw the dog off the bridge at around 10.45 pm on Saturday and then took the fatal plunge.  "Some people who saw them jump immediately alerted locals, who alerted local swimmers. But the bodies had washed away quickly. Locals found Kavitha's body within two hours and the search operation is still on," police said.  The daughter's body was found on Sunday, while the rescue team is still looking for Kaushik. "The dog has been sent to the veterinary hospital. The family had sold their own house in Mysuru and also their coffee plantation in Kodagu recently. We believe that financial crisis may have led them to take the step," Bantwal police said.  If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help.    Tamil Nadu:    State health department suicide helpline number - 104   Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in TN)   Telangana:     Telangana government suicide prevention toll free no - 104    Roshni- 040-66202000, 66202001   SEVA- 09441778290, 040 - 27504682 (between 9 AM and 7 PM)    Karnataka:   Sahai : 24-hour helpline numbers: 080- 65000111, 080-65000222   Kerala:   Maithri helpline - 0484-2540530   Chaithram helpline: 0484-2361161   Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.    Andhra Pradesh:    Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930-78930    Roshni  Helpline 1: 9166202000  Helpline 2: 9127848584

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The mesmerising experience of seeing the majestic Jog Falls for the first time

Travel

A writer looks back on her mother’s story of witnessing the Jog Falls, and witnesses the same with her son.

Gita Aravamudan

All images courtesy Gita Aravamudan

And there it was, the rock my mother had spoken about. The rock atop which she said that she, as a small girl, had lain down and viewed the head of the gushing Raja falls at scarily close quarters. The rock jutted out a bit over the cliff from which Raja thundered down. I could only imagine now how frightening and exhilarating the experience must have been for the tiny five year old.  The rock was now inaccessible. The paths leading down to it from the viewing gallery in front of the Circuit House (aka British Bungalow) were cordoned off. “A couple of drunks must have toppled over,” the tourist next to me said. “Or they would have fallen in trying to take selfies.” The Jog Falls is also known as Gersoppa Falls after a nearby village of that name. It is made up of four distinct plunge falls created by the Sharavathi River, which, after flowing over a very rocky bed, plunges into a 960 feet deep gorge.  Raja, Roarer, Rocket and Rani. Nobody seems to know who named these falls but the names have stuck! Raja — the tallest waterfall majestically tumbles down 830 feet in one sheer unbroken column. The next tallest, Roarer is also the noisiest. It falls into a rocky cup before rushing down jubilantly to meet Raja. The third and most vigorous waterfall, Rocket, stands close to Raja and shoots downwards in a series of jets. Rani, the fourth waterfall, is the most delicate. It comes down gently veiled in sheets of foam.  “I was quite a bold girl, but this was frightening,” my mother would say, every time she repeated the story to me or my boys. “I was crying, but my father insisted I should do it because it was an unmissable sight. So he held my legs and I peeped over the edge of the rock. And wow! I can never forget that experience.” *** My grandfather was a civil servant in the 1930s when this incident must have taken place. He was a bold and adventurous man who rode on horseback to the remotest parts. He often took his seven children along on trekking expeditions inside the forests of the Western Ghats, and my mother, who was a great storyteller, would regale us with tales of leeches and forest streams, tigers roaring in the dark and peacocks dancing on the paths.  But about that rock she was not sure where it was. Was it really at Jog Falls or was she mixing it up with some other small waterfall?  On my trip to Jog Falls many, many summers ago, I had just seen a pencil like stream of water…not the gushing falls she described. My brother and I ran down the steps to the bottom of the gorge and played around in the pools of water. We gazed up at the impressive rock face which was 80ft tall and seemed to stretch up and up into the sky. We wondered then what it would be like if the waterfalls were full. It took me more than fifty years to find out! This time, my son took me to view Jog Falls at the end of the monsoon and the experience was totally different. These were the waterfalls my mother had spoken about. We stood mesmerised. Jog Falls was picture perfect. It looked almost like a painting had come alive. Tall, sheer streams of water plunging off the cliff into a gorge. Mist rising all around. Rainbows forming across the waterfalls. We watched the changing mood of the falls as they veiled themselves with clouds and emerged again, as they swayed with the winds and gushed and roared through the day and night. It was a surreal experience. *** My son Sriram decided to go down to the gorge. But this time around I found the prospect of 1400 steps too daunting. The steps had been closed to the public for a while, the watchman at the entrance told him, because some visitors managed to smuggle liquor with them when they went down and there had been a couple of cases of people drowning after getting drunk. Now, there were security guards all along the steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Sriram came back awestruck by the experience of standing so close to the waterfalls thundering all around him. Some young men who had come to bathe in the pools told him that when the water is released from the Linganamakki dam upstream, the force is so great that no one is allowed. This, in fact, had happened just a week before we went. The Linganamakki dam was completed in the 1960s and has a huge reservoir which is used for storing water for generating hydroelectric power. The building of this dam upstream definitely affected the flow of water to the falls. Now, the falls can be seen in their full glory only during the four months of the monsoon season when the dam is full and the overflow comes rushing down to the cliff. In fact, when the reservoir is overfull, water is released and the powerful gush creates a dramatic scene. According to popular legend, Sir M Viveswariah — who was responsible for building the dam — was the consummate engineer. He could not bear to see anything go to waste. And when he saw the gorgeous Jog Falls with water gushing down the cliff side, he exclaimed, “What a waste!” and decided to harness them for power generation. Utility won over natural beauty. The Jog Management Authority has now proposed a project to keep the falls flowing all through the year. The project, which is estimated to cost over Rs 350 crore, envisions recycling the water back into the reservoir so it can be used even during the dry season. *** I stood on The British Bungalow steps as close as I could get to my mother’s rock and saw the falls from a different close-up angle. Each one had a personality of its own. In spite of our interference, Jog Falls continued to stun us with its natural beauty. It's time we learnt to stop interfering and just let it be.

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Ex-K’taka CM Kumaraswamy denies alleged phone tapping of Nirmalanda Swami

Controversy

Media reports have said the seer’s phone was tapped after his number was made part of a list of suspected sandalwood smugglers.

TNM Staff

PTI/ File image

Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has finally reacted to the phone tapping controversy after media reports claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation has found that the phone of Nirmalananda Swami seer was under surveillance during his regime. Nirmalanda is revered and is quite influential in the dominant Vokkaliga community, the community to which Kumaraswamy himself belongs to. According to reports, police was tracing his calls as his name was made part of a list of alleged sandalwood smugglers. In a series of tweets, the former CM on Sunday said that he has no role in the same and was hurt by the allegation made by the BJP leaders. He further said that there was an unnecessary controversy created around the issue. He said, "The reports about tapping of Nirmalananda Swamiji's phone during my administration and statements by political leaders regarding it has caused unbearable pain to my heart. Above all the fact that this might have upset Swamiji has increased my pain.” He added. “My name was unnecessarily mentioned in this case. R Ashoka (senior BJP minister) has gone ahead and apologized for the mistake that was not committed. I dont know what is the motive behind the apology. I am deeply hurt at Swamiji's pain.” In another tweet, he added, “"Is it possible for me to take suspicious step regarding him? Absolutely not.” Incidentally, Ashoka is also a leader from the Vokkaliga community.   ಈ ಪ್ರಕರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನಗತ್ಯವಾಗಿ ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಂಭವಿಸದ ತಪ್ಪೊಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಅಶೋಕ್ ಅವರು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ಮುಂದೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದರಿಂದ ಅವರಿಗೇನು ಲಾಭವೋ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವರ ಆತುರಕ್ಕೆ ಮರುಕವಿದೆ. ಅದೇ ಹೊತ್ತಲ್ಲೇ ಶ್ರೀಗಳಿಗಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೇಸರಕ್ಕೆ ಅತೀವ ನೋವಿದೆ. — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) September 29, 2019     He further said that there is no question of him authorising the phone tapping as he considers the seer to be his “moral guide” and  served as an inspiration for him in social work. The CBI is currently investigating former Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Alok Kumar for allegations leveled by the BJP that the JD(S)- Congress government had authorised him to illegally tap phones of political opponents and others. The current Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had sought for the CBI probe once a conversation between an accused in a ponzi scheme case and a senior police officer had gone viral on social media. Alok Kumar was questioned by CBI sleuths on Thursday and the CBI was due to probe other senior police officers in connection with the case.

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B’luru activists demand retention of eco-sensitive zone for Bannerghatta National Park

Environment

The demand was renewed after a communication from the Union Ministry of Forests to the Karnataka government to consider retaining the buffer zone was leaked.

Soumya Chatterjee

File image

Environmentalists in Bengaluru who rallied to protect the buffer zone of Bannerghatta National Park are hopeful of retaining the entire 268.96 km as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). The development comes after communication (dated August 20) between the Director of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the head of the Karnataka Forest Department came to light.  The communication, accessed by TNM, states: “Recently, while finalizing the ESZ notification, references received in the Ministry requesting retaining ESZ area to 268 96 sq km in view of the elephant corridors and the likely impact of reduced area on the overall ecology of the region In the light of the above, the state government is requested to consider the proposal and examine the possibility of retaining the original proposal for the purpose of declaration of ESZ.” In 2018, the union government and the state government proposed to reduce the ESZ to only 168.64 sq km, much to the dismay of nature lovers. Following the communication, activists who are part of the umbrella group, Save Bannerghatta, want the state government to retain the original proposal.  “Now that we know the Centre also does not want this to happen, we want the state government to endorse the recommendation without any delay. This is for the future of Bengaluru and the future generation. We all know that the restoration of ESZ will protect the little nature that is left. We urge the state government to redo a survey of the damage done due to illegal mining and penalise the errant companies,” says Vijay Nishanth, who previously met Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on the same issue. According to Supreme Court guidelines and other laws, mining or industrial operations cannot take place in an ESZ, as it disturbs wildlife and increases the risk of man-animal conflict. “Ultimately, the decision has to be taken by the political class. Only a cabinet sub-committee is authorised to take decisions. We are only called for explaining the matter. We will discuss this as well as the letter from the union government with the Forest Minister. With the current dispensation we have to see how they react,” a source in the Karnataka Forest Department told TNM. When the state and union governments made the proposal in 2018, activists had complained that the changes to the ESZ were being made in the interest of mining and real estate companies, who were set to be the biggest beneficiaries if the ESZ was to be reduced. Their demand was endorsed by Bengaluru-based MPs Rajeev Chandrasekhar and PC Mohan as well. While the Centre’s draft notification was published on November 5, 2018, the same was endorsed in March 2019 in a state-centre meeting during the 33rd ESZ Expert Committee meeting. The talk of reducing the buffer zone triggered many campaigns by various eco groups, and even spurred a coalition of Resident Welfare Associations to take up the matter. They had also planned to take the matter to court if the governments did not pay heed to their demand. Importance of the buffer zone An IISc study conducted by leading scientist TV Ramachandra in 2015 had stated that the present buffer zones are biologically and hydrologically sensitive zones. Mining in the area would create bottlenecks for animals, which meant that they can’t move around in their natural habitat and would eventually lead to man-animal conflicts and poaching.  Another study by the Indian Institute of Human Settlements said that preservation of this ESZ was important in protecting the city from becoming a heat island. Recently, a study led by renowned wildlife biologist Sanjay Gubbi, in partnership with the Forest Department, found that there were 40 leopards in the forest, which is much higher than what is usually found in a reserve area of this size. One of their findings was that the northwestern part of Bannerghatta is connected to 3,250 acres of deemed forests— Gullalligudda, BM Kaaval, UM Kaaval and the Roerich Estate. These four deemed forests altogether form 5,375 acres of good wildlife habitat, which the researchers recommended to be notified as a Conservation Reserve. Gubbi’s study recommended they should be notified as a Conservation Reserve which would act as a buffer between Bannerghatta National Park and human habitation, hence reducing human-wildlife conflict in addition to protecting watersheds.

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Days after new V-C takes charge, Nadimath resigns as Registrar of NLS Bengaluru

Controversy

OV Nandimath will, however, continue as a professor at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru.

TNM Staff

OV Nandimath, who was at the heart of the recent controversy over the appointment of Vice-Chancellor of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru, resigned from the post of Registrar on Saturday. He will, however, continue as a professor at the University.  This comes just within days after Sudhir Krishnaswamy took charge as the Vice-Chancellor and after days of discontent among students over the alleged delay in his appointment. The students had even resorted to protests and even boycotted exams over the matter. While the former Vice-Chancellor of the University, R Venkata Rao, completed his 10-year term on July 31, his successor (Krishnaswamy) was named through a mandated process on August 2. Krishnaswamy, however, took charge as the V-C only on September 25.  Earlier this year, a three-member High-Level Committee consisting of MP Singh (distinguished Jurist), KK Venugopal (Attorney General for India) and senior advocate Arvind Datar had been set up by the Chief Justice of India, acting as the Chancellor of the University, to recommend a suitable candidate to succeed Venkata Rao. The High-Level Committee had shortlisted three candidates, in a stated order of preference, and found Sudhir Krishnaswamy to be the most suitable of the three. But no affirmative action had taken place then. The students had alleged a malafide intention of the interim administration for delaying his appointment.  Nandimath was the Ex-Officio Secretary to the Executive Council (EC), which is involved in the procedural formalities of the V-C’s appointment. The students alleged that he was plotting to delay the transition process and even trying to reverse the decision. They also accused Nandimath of conflict of interest, since he himself had applied to the V-C’s post but was not selected. The students had also complained that the temporary administration was passing anti-student resolutions, sometimes without even issuing circulars. In an elaborate statement issued earlier, the students had said, “The student body has lost all faith in his (Nandimath) ability to act in an impartial manner in this matter. The Registrar should recuse himself of this process owing to his obstructionist behaviour and evident conflict of interest, having been one of the 16 applicants for the position of Vice-Chancellor.  

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Driver flees with Rs 99 lakh in ATM cash van in Bengaluru, cops on the lookout

Crime

According to the police, as the locker in the van was locked, the accused fled with whatever amount he could find in the vehicle.

TNM Staff

Representational image: Flickr/Redspotted

The Bengaluru police are on the lookout for the driver of a cash logistics management company after he allegedly drove away with Rs 99 lakh in cash on Friday. The accused, 23-year-old Pawan, is a native of Mandya in Karnataka and had joined the company only a week ago. According to the police, he was tasked to drive three company staff, who would fill cash into the ATMs of ICICI Bank in the east division of the city. The incident took place when the driver, along with three other staff of the cash management company, reached the ICICI ATM kiosk on Kamanahalli Road around 4.30 pm on Friday.  While the two gunmen and the custodians entered the ATM, Pawan drove away with the van. The three initially thought he was taking time to park the vehicle. When he did not return, they alerted the police, who later found the vehicle abandoned in Lingarajapuram Flyover.  According to the police, the accused fled with the amount of Rs 99 lakh, which was outside the locker in the van. Although there was more cash in the vehicle, the accused could not open the locker.  Speaking on the issue, Rahul Kumar Shahpurwad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East division) told The Hindu, “We have some clues about his whereabouts. We are confident that he will be nabbed soon.”   The police are trying to trace him using CCTV footage and also concluded that the standard operating procedure was not followed at the time of the incident. However, this is not the first time that such an incident has occurred in Bengaluru.  In April 2018, the Bengaluru police had arrested a 24-year-old cash custodian from Kodagu after he had disappeared with Rs 52 lakh that was meant to replenish an ATM kiosk in Bengaluru. The accused, Paramesh, took Rs 52 lakh to load the ICICI ATM near Thulasi Chitra Mandira in Marthahalli but found that the ATM was not in working condition. Instead of returning the money, he ran away with it.

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Mysuru decks up for 10-day Dasara festival in Karnataka

Festivals

As chief guest, eminent Kannada litterateur S. Bhyarappa will inaugurate the 409th year of the festival celebrations.

IANS

Karnataka's cultural capital Mysuru has decked up to celebrate its world famous 10-day Dasara festival from Sunday with pomp and piety, an official said on Saturday. "The 10-day Dasara festival begins on Sunday with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari Devi atop the hill on the city's outskirts in the presence of the chief guest, VIPs, dignitaries and the people," the official told IANS here. As chief guest, eminent Kannada litterateur S. Bhyarappa will inaugurate the 409th year of the festival celebrations amid chanting of Vedic hymns and devotional music at the royal Amba Palace of the erstwhile Mysuru Wodeyar rulers in the city centre, about 150km southwest of Bengaluru. State Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, central and state ministers, legislators, religious heads, special invitees and the citizens will participate in the function amid tight security. A replica of the goddess will be taken astride a decorated elephant in a procession to the royal palace from the Devi temple atop the hill for worshipping and public display. As the grand festival has historical relevance dating back to the 16th century when the Wodeyar kings used to celebrate it with grandeur, the royal dynasty's adopted scion and titular head Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja will hold a private audience by ascending the Golden Throne in the Palace durbar hall at the auspicious time the family priests will decide as per the Hindu calendar. "Yaduveer will hold the khasagi (private) durbar for nine days (navaratri) in line with his Yadu dynasty's 600-year-old tradition, worship ayudha puja (armoury) and other objects in the Palace and witness the victory parade on Vijayadashmi day," a Palace official said. Yaduveer's wife Trishikha Devi, his step-mother Pramoda Devi, members of the royal family will be present on the occasion. As the state government is the main organiser and host, Yediyurappa will herald the cultural celebrations and flag off the sporting events that will be held in the sprawling palace vicinity. Priests from 23 temples in the old Mysuru region will perform Hindu rituals and make offerings to Hindu gods and goddesses during the fest to invoke their blessings on the people for peace, happiness and prosperity. The festival also marks the celebration of triumph over evil as the presiding goddess is learnt to have killed Hindu demon Mysasura on the auspicious occasion when Hind god Ram returned to Ayodhya from a 14-year exile in Threta Yug. The city has also been spruced up for the grandeur that will culminate with a victory procession of caparisoned elephants, camels, horses and tableaux from the Palace to the Bannimantapa grounds for a torch-light parade on the 10th of the festival on October 8. The tabuleaux will showcase the state's rich cultural folklore and socio-economic development of the state. As part of Navarathri, cultural and musical programmes will be held over the next nine days outside the Palace and other venues across the city. Sporting events like wrestling and athletics, film shows, children's shows, poets' meet, food fiesta and book expo will be part of the grand festival. Besides the royal palace, heritage buildings, temples and parks have been illuminated for the mega fest.

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Bengaluru woman caught on camera confronting stalker, thrashing him in public

Crime

The accused Sunil had been stalking and harassing the woman for months, and on Saturday, she decided to confront him.

TNM Staff

“You think you can take things lightly? Do you think you can harass women and get away with it?” shouts a woman, dragging a man by his collar and beating him with her slippers. A video of this woman thrashing a man in public in Bengaluru has gone viral on social media. In the video, the woman can be heard accusing the man of stalking her and sexually harassing her for months. The incident took place on Saturday morning near Yellamma Temple Street in Ramamurthy Nagar. The woman, who has now filed a complaint with the Ramamurthy Nagar police, said that the man – 31-year-old Sunil, an employee of Big Bazaar – had been stalking her for months. The two became friends on social media earlier this year and had also met. In May this year, Sunil allegedly began harassing her, demanding that she enter into a relationship with him. On May 18, Sunil gave her a drink that was allegedly spiked with drugs and took her to a hotel room, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and had captured the incident on camera. “Since then, he would follow her to work and back home. Once, he followed her home in May after the incident and showed her the video. He told her that he would upload the video on social media if she did not listen to his demands. The woman threatened to file a complaint with the police and told him to delete the video,” the Ramamurthy Nagar police said. However, for months, Sunil allegedly continued to stalk her and even harassed her at her workplace, the woman has stated in her complaint to the police.   On Saturday morning, the woman was walking home from the store, when she noticed that Sunil was following her. He allegedly followed her into her house and threatened to show the video to her family members. Angered by and fed up with his threats, the woman dragged Sunil out on the road and began to beat him with her slippers. When her neighbours gathered to ask what happened, she informed them about the harassment and stalking. “Then the locals also beat him up and caught hold of him until we got to the spot. The woman filed a complaint and an FIR was registered under Sections 354 (using criminal force against a woman, 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC,” the police added.  Sunil was arrested by the Ramamurthy Nagar Police and will be produced before a local court on Monday.    

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'Vaping helped me quit smoking': E-cigarette users in Bengaluru protest ban

Protest

The Association of Vapers India (AVI), an organisation that represents e-cigarette users, staged a small protest at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park.

Prajwal Bhat

"Have you seen smokers having such steady hands as us?" quips a protester holding up a placard that reads, "I quit smoking with vaping. Don't make me smoke again." Inside Bengaluru's Freedom Park, a huddle of around 30 people are holding up placards while a group of journalists click photographs and videos of them. A placard reads,"The government is denying science, Vaping is safer.” This is the first protest organised in Bengaluru by the Association of Vapers India (AVI), an organisation that represents e-cigarette users, against the ban on electronic cigarettes introduced by the union government earlier this month. Here’s how it works – e-cigarettes heat up a liquid into vapour which is inhaled. It could taste anything from bubblegum to chocolate or just tobacco, and contains nicotine. These are called electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and are known by many names – vapes, e-hookahs, e-pipes, etc. They are now banned in India. On Saturday, protests were held simultaneously in Indian cities including New Delhi and Hyderabad. In Bengaluru, this was the first time vape users came together to organise a protest. 'I quit smoking through vaping' Among the protesters was Gautham Hanumanthappa, a 38-year-old marketing professional from Bengaluru. "I started smoking at the age of 16 and all attempts to stop smoking, like using a nicotine patch or chewing gum, did not work for me. I began vaping and gradually reduced my nicotine intake. This helped me to eventually quit smoking," says Gautham.  Gautam's story is similar to several testimonials shared by e-cigarette users about how it helped them gradually reduce the addiction to nicotine and eventually stop smoking. However, the protesting e-cigarette users are quick to make the distinction that e-cigarettes are useful only for smokers and should not be used by non-smokers. "E-cigarettes, unlike conventional cigarettes, do not burn tobacco or produce tar or carbon monoxide. This fact alone makes it less harmful than cigarettes. Moreover, there is no evidence of vaping causing harm to others unlike second-hand smoke,” says Pingal Khan, an e-cigarette user and lawyer based in Bengaluru.  'Regulate but do not prohibit'   On September 18, the Union Cabinet approved the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Ordinance, 2019. The ordinance states that anyone violating this rule will be imprisoned for up to one year or fined up to ₹1,00,000 or both, for the first offence. The central government has cited health reasons and the influence of e-cigarettes on the youth in the country for introducing the ban. It was deemed necessary to prevent the initiation of smoking for non-smokers and the youth after several consultations conducted by the Union Health Ministry going back to 2014.  However, protesters claimed that this can be resolved by introducing regulations for the sale and manufacture of e-cigarettes instead of prohibiting it. "Regulate the sale of nicotine and impose taxes on it. This way, the government can earn more money and also ensure that e-cigarette vendors are not forced to shut down or worse, go underground and operate an unregulated market,” says Rukam Verma, a 32-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru. E-cigarettes are also expensive and for someone starting the use of e-cigarettes, it may cost upto Rs 3,000. The protesting e-cigarette users also noted that the shares of cigarette makers, including ITC Ltd rose, Godfrey Phillips India Ltd, VST Industries Ltd and Golden Tobacco Ltd, rose after the government's decision to ban e-cigarettes was announced. 'Do it yourself' mentality Ever since the ban was introduced, e-cigarette users complain that there is a lack of availability of e-juice or e-liquid, the flavoured nicotine mixture used in e-cigarettes, and some say, it has pushed them to smoke again. Others inside the vaping community say that it has prompted them to adopt a do-it-yourself mentality and create their own flavoured nicotine mixture.  "You need Vegetable Glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG), diluted nicotine, flavour and distilled water to create your own vape juice. It could take anywhere between two weeks and months to brew this depending on the complexity of the flavour,” says an e-cigarette user, who did not wish to be named.  The ingredients used are commonly available since VG and PG are used in the cosmetic industry and the flavours used are edible flavours that are also used to make pastries and other food products. However, the e-cigarette users warn that these liquids are not tested to check whether they are safe for inhalation.  Protestors also claimed that the Indian government was denying evidence that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking tobacco. In May, the Union Health Ministry issued a circular cautioning government departments to hold off publishing research, reports or studies on e-cigarettes and other devices promoted as an alternative to tobacco addiction without the consultation of the ministry.  The protesters say that this does not allow researchers to prove or disprove the effects of the use of e-cigarettes in the future and categorically dismisses a potential option for smokers to switch to a less-harmful alternative.  Two court cases  that could yet influence the status of the ban are currently being heard by the Kolkata High Court, including one by Plume Vapour, an e-cigarette importer.   But the network of vapers in India, still in its early stages, is focused on adding more members to their ranks. The central government's decision to ban e-cigarettes has brought a handful of them in various cities to come together and try to make the case for e-cigarettes over its conventional self.   

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FB post of K'taka Congress President's wife highlights power struggle in the party

Politics

Tabu Rao, wife of Dinesh Gundurao, has reflected on youngsters in the Congress not getting their due.

Naheed Ataulla

Facebook/TabuRao

Amidst the spats between two former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and HD Kumaraswamy on who is a vulture and a parrot and who nurtured whom and also the verbal duel within the seniors in the Congress, a post on social media titled, "What ails the Congress? (Karnataka)", has put in perspective the mood in the party. The post on Facebook assumes significance as it has been written by Karnataka unit Congress president Dinesh Gundurao's wife Tabu Rao, who at the outset, has clarified that she is writing it strictly in her personal capacity. "It reflects my own views as a close observer of the party and nobody else’s,'' she  added. Active on social media, this is not the first time Tabu has been forthright on matters. In January this year, she lambasted former Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde for what she called his "misogynistic and provocative" remarks. Hegde had said that he only "knows Gundurao as a guy who ran behind a Muslim lady." In her current Facebook post, Tabu has reflected on youngsters in the Congress not getting their due. "There is a growing dissonance among young leaders as the old guard is not conceding them any space. While the party can benefit from the experience of seniors, there is an urgent need to bring young and dynamic leaders to the forefront. The young leadership should not be just redundant...they should be allowed an opinion of their own,''  she said. Speaking to TNM, Tabu said: "I have my opinion on politics and everything. This is my point and not of the KPCC president, who was not even aware of my FB post. I will not compromise on my opinion and am not ashamed of expressing the same. I am not a Congress member. What I have expressed is the truth, I am witnessing it," she said. When media contacted Gundurao, he dismissed it saying it was Tabu's personal opinion. "She is not a Congress member, go and take her opinion,'' he maintained. In another reflection in the same post, Tabu touched on the internal bickerings in the party without naming anybody. In recent days, Siddaramaiah's efforts to continue as the Congress legislature party leader, former deputy chief minister G Parameshwara reported lobbying with the party high command for the state Congress president's post and the spat between Siddaramaiah and former Kolar MP KH Muniyappa (who has blamed Siddaramaiah for his defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls) has been out in the public domain. "There is rampant infighting in the party. It is no secret that many a time some Congress leaders themselves work towards the defeat of their colleague's... both electorally and personally. One of the biggest problems of the Congress is sycophants and hangers-on who fill the ears of leaders with what they want to hear rather than what they should hear, especially those in the capital. Thus, many leaders are cut-off from ground realities,'' Tabu wrote. Admitting that her views in the past have annoyed the Congress top brass, Tabu said the young Turks in the party have been ignored for long. Instead of indulging in criticising each other, focus should be on rebuilding the party and looking at the competency of the workers, she said. "I don't think I have embarrassed the party with my views and will continue doing so in future,'' she maintained.  Her post also touches on the poor PR by the party, which Siddaramaiah had been highlighting as CM. According to him, one of the reasons for the party's defeat in the 2018 Assembly polls was because the welfare programmes taken up by his government were not highlighted by the party.  "PR is perhaps one of our biggest drawbacks. We have failed to tell our lofty stories to the voters, especially how Congress changed India into a super power. Professional PR is the need of the hour,'' she signed off. Naheed Ataulla is a journalist who covered Karnataka politics for over two decades and is former Political Editor of The Times of India.  

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IMA scam: Mansoor Khan accused of inflating company’s revenue to lure investors

Crime

The CBI enlisted the help of a renowned financial risk assessment and management company to look into IMA’s financial statements and book of accounts.

TNM Staff

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the multi-crore I Monetary Advisory (IMA) scam, has now found that the company’s founder Mohammed Mansoor Khan allegedly fabricated figures of thousands of crores in the company’s book of accounts. CBI sources say that IMA’s book of accounts showed that the company’s revenue was Rs 8,250 crore. After the CBI took over the probe from the Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT) on September 2 this year, the investigating agency had enlisted the help of a renowned financial risk assessment and management company to look into IMA’s financial statements and book of accounts. Upon investigation, it was found that Mansoor Khan’s IMA had generated a revenue of Rs 12 crore in the 2017-18 fiscal year. However, the books were allegedly fabricated to show that the company had generated a revenue of Rs 8,520.57 crore. “By showcasing that the company was making crores of revenue, the founder, directors and the chartered accountant of the company duped people into becoming partners of the company,” CBI sources said. CBI sources said that IMA had not obtained permission from RBI to collect such huge deposits from the public. “In these Halal banking schemes, RBI permission is necessary in order to be able to legally collect funds from people, which the IMA did not have,” the source added. The CBI had on September 27, questioned two top police officials from Karnataka in connection with the case. IGP Hemanth Nimbalkar and former DCP of Bengaluru Ajay Hilory were questioned by the CBI. The Special Investigation Team, which was earlier probing the case, had on July 31 conducted raids at the residence and offices of Hemanth Nimbalkar. The former investigators and the CBI believe that top police officials could have been paid off in order to give Mansoor Khan a clean chit. The RBI had first issued a notification to the Karnataka government in 2015 that IMA was indulging in a Ponzi scheme. The Revenue Department, however, dropped its probe when it found that the investors were listed as partners, according to the investment bonds, and not depositors in IMA. In 2018, when a section of investors stopped getting their monthly dividends, the company once again came under RBI scanner. This time, the Revenue Department decided to probe the matter and had also issued a public notice regarding IMA’s fraudulent activities in November 2018. The CID began probing the case in 2018 and sources say that Hemanth Nimbalkar was allegedly heading the probe into the functioning of IMA run by Mohammed Mansoor Khan after the state police had asked the CID to look into the matter following a notice it had received about IMA’s alleged illegal dealings from the RBI. On January 18 this year, Hemanth Nimbalkar had given a clean chit to IMA and had submitted this report to the Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban. This DC was also arrested by the SIT when it was probing the case and had accused him of taking bribes. On July 10, exactly a month after IMA scam broke out, Hemanth Nimbalkar was transferred from IGP of CID’s Economic Offences Wing to IGP of the ACB, CBI sources added. “We have taken their statements. For now, a preliminary chargesheet has been filed (submitted to the court on September 9). A detailed one will be filed after the probe is complete,” CBI sources said. Read: Tracing the meteoric rise of IMA Jewels scam kingpin Mansoor Khan    

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New Karnataka bypoll schedule announced to 'purify' rebel MLAs, alleges Congress

Politics

These remarks came after the announcement that bye-polls would be postponed to December 5.

IANS

Image for representation

As the Election Commission on Friday announced the bypolls to 15 Karnataka Assembly seats would be held on December 5, the Congress on Friday took a swipe at the poll panel, saying the new schedule looks to be meant for "purification" of disqualified MLAs. "Election Commission has become one of the government departments. Postponing election after the proceedings started is quite unusual," party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal told IANS. Venugopal, who is also the in-charge of Karnataka said: "Now declaring the new schedule also look like waiting for purification of disqualified MLAS." His remarks came soon after the Commission announced fresh dates for by-elections on the 15 assembly seats on December 5 and counting of votes on December 9. The announcement came a day after the Election Commission informed the Supreme Court that it will postpone the October 21 by-elections for 15 assembly seats in Karnataka, which fell vacant after the then Speaker disqualified rebel Congress and JD-S legislators till the end of the current Assembly (2023). The court will now take up the matter on October 22. The bypolls were earlier slated for October 21.

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Two youths run over by train in Bengaluru while making TikTok video

Accident

The incident took place on Friday evening on the railway tracks between Yelahanka and Channasandra.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

A teenager and his friend were killed while making a TikTok video on the railway tracks, after they were run over by a train between Yelahanka and Channasandra in Bengaluru, on Friday evening. The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Aftab Sheriff and his friend, 23-year-old Mohammed Matin. The third person, 22-year-old Zabiullah Khan was shooting the video, and was injured in the accident. He was flung some distance away from the tracks. Zabiullah has been taken to the government hospital in Yelahanka where is currently undergoing treatment. All three were residents of RK Hegde Nagar in Bengaluru. According to reports, the three friends walked on to the railway track near RK Hegde Nagar. Around 5.30 pm, as they were shooting a Tik Tok video, the Kolar-Chikkaballapur-Bengaluru train was making its way onto the track and hit them before they could jump to a safe spot. Aftab and Mohammed were critically injured, while Zaibullah sustained severe injuries. “The loco pilot of the Yelahanka-Kolar-Chikkaballapura passenger train said that the trio never heard the train’s continuous whistles. While Zabiullah was flung some distance away, the other two were run over,” police told TOI. Earlier in June, a 19-year-old from Tumkur in Karnataka had injured his spine while attempting a backflip for a TikTok video. He sustained severe injuries to his spinal cord and later succumbed while being treated for his injuries. There have been several such instances of people injuring themselves, even fatally, for the sake of attempting such stunts for social media. In 2017, another teenager, from Hyderabad, died while taking a selfie from the top of a railway coach. The teenager came into contact with a high tension wire and sustained extensive burns. 

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Karnataka assembly bye-elections to be held on December 5, counting on December 9

Bye-elections

The poll panel did not announce the schedule for the R.R. Nagar and Maski assembly constituency.

IANS

Image for representation

A day after informing the Supreme Court that it will postpone the October 21 by-elections for 15 assembly seats in Karnataka, the Election Commission on Friday announced the bypolls will now be held in the state on December 5, with counting of votes on December 9. The candidates can file their nomination from November 11 till November 18, the poll panel said, adding that the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on November 19 while last date for withdrawal is November 21. The Commission also said that for the candidates who had filed their nomination papers between September 23 and September 28, their papers will undergo scrutiny on November 19 too. The decision on the bypolls was taken in view of the Supreme Court observation on the pleas of the rebel MLAs pending in the apex court. Following their disqualification by the then Asembly Speaker, the rebel MLAs had approached the Supreme Court. However, the schedule of the by-elections probably means the disqualified MLAs will not be able to re-contest. As many as 17 MLAs of the then Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular resigned and abstained from attending the 10-day assembly session in mid-July, leading to the fall of the 14-month H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government on July 23. In a dramatic turn of events, then Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar subsequently disqualified the 17 rebel MLAs till the end of the current Assembly term running from 2018 to 2023, on July 25 and July 28, days after the coalition government fell. On September 21, in a blow to the former rebel MLAs, the poll panel announced the dates for the bypolls on October 21 and counting three days later on October 24. The constituencies going to the polls are Gokak, Athani, Ranebennur, Kagwad, Hirekerur, Yellapur, Yeshwanthpura, Vijayanagara, Shivajinagar, Hosakote, Hunsur, Krishnarajpet, Mahalakshmi Layout, KR Pura and Chikballapura. However, the poll panel did not announce the schedule for the R.R. Nagar and Maski assembly constituency. After the results of the bypolls are announced, the strength of the 225-member Karnataka Assembly will become 222. The ruling BJP currently has the support of 106 MLAs, including independent MLA H. Nagesh.  

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Ballari Congress leader Anil Lad says he's ready to join BJP

Politics

In the 2018 Assembly elections, Anil was defeated by BJP's Somashekara Reddy in Ballari City.

Prajwal Bhat

Anil Lad (Left)/ Photograph via Facebook

In a blow to the Congress in Ballari, party leader Anil Lad has expressed a desire to join the BJP on Friday. "I have not joined yet but I am willing to join the BJP," Anil said speaking to TNM. He also stated that there was no discontentment with the Congress and that he "simply felt that it was time" to make a switch. "I am neither a candidate nor an aspirant in the upcoming bye-elections. I will simply be helping the party's candidates and endorsing them in their campaign,” Anil said. He is unperturbed when he is asked about BJP's Somashekara Reddy, who defeated him in the 2018 Assembly elections and is a prominent member of the BJP in Ballari. "I will help the party in whatever way I can," Anil added. Earlier this week, Anil sent a message to the party's cadre in Ballari seeking their opinion about leaving the Congress for the BJP before confirming his decision on Friday. This comes three months after Anil and Congress leader Anand Singh both opposed the previous Congress-JD(S) coalition government’s decision to sell land in Ballari to JSW in June. Anand Singh is one of the MLAs disqualified by the former Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar when the coalition government collapsed in July. Sources in the Ballari unit of BJP stated that Anil may not get a chance to contest from Ballari since the party already has candidates in constituencies in the district. "There was word that he will contest from Khanapur in Belagavi earlier and this may be where the BJP will ask him to contest from," says a source in the BJP in Ballari. The same source said it is unlikely Anil will be fielded as a candidate in one of the 15 constituencies where bye-elections are set to be held in the next few months. Anil started his political career in the BJP when he was elected as the MLA of Kudligi constituency in the 2004 Assembly elections. He joined the Congress and was named as the party's candidate in Ballari City in the 2008 Assembly elections. Kudligi constituency was reserved for Scheduled Tribes, which meant Anil had to find a new constituency to contest from. He decided on Ballari City and contested the 2008 Assembly elections against BJP's Somashekara Reddy and lost by a slim margin of 1,022 votes. This was at a time when the influence of the infamous Reddy brothers – Janardhana, Somashekara and Karunakara – was at its peak in the state. However, after this, when Somashekara's brother Janardhana Reddy was named as the prime accused in the Ballari mining scam by Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, the Reddy brothers slipped into political oblivion. Anil Lad was elected as the MLA of Ballari City in 2013 by over 18,000 votes against the BSRCP candidate Murali Krishna. This was after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's successful protest march against the Reddy brothers which culminated in the city. The BJP candidate GV Gouda finished 4th in the elections with just over 5,000 votes. In the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, Anil Lad once again contested as the Congress candidate in Ballari City against BJP's Somashekara Reddy in a repeat of their 2008 election contest. Anil lost again, this time by over 16,000 votes, in spite of running a campaign aimed at attacking tainted politician Janardhana Reddy and his involvement with the BJP.    But Anil and his brother Santosh Lad, also a politician, managed a mining company - VS Lad and Sons. Anil was detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2015 in connection with the illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri port near Karwar. The Congress was criticised for fielding a candidate involved in mining in Ballari against one of the Reddy brothers, who continue to enjoy popularity and patronage in the district, despite the much-publicised mining scam coming to light. The development comes at a time political parties in Karnataka are gearing up for the bye-elections in 15 constituencies that will determine the fate of the BJP-led state government. The bye-elections were earlier scheduled for October 21 but the Election Commission has said that it is willing to defer them until the Supreme Court decides on the issue of disqualification of the 17 rebel MLAs. 

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Rape of 7-year-old in Bengaluru: Top lawyer gets school plumber off the hook

Child Sexual Abuse

The defence first suggested that the child – the seven-year-old – was sexually active. When this line was objected to, the defence maintained that she had a vivid imagination.

Dhanya Rajendran

Theja Ram

On the 1st of August, 2012, a class 2 student in Bengaluru’s Delhi Public School, located in Whitefield, told her mother that she had stomach pain and a burning sensation in her genitals. When her mother queried further, the terrified child finally revealed that a man had assaulted her, and threatened her not to reveal the assault to anyone. The mother took the child to meet the principal of the Delhi Public School in Whitefield, Bengaluru. With not much help coming forth, she then took the child to Manipal Hospital in the city, where a doctor confirmed her fears – the child had injuries that were indicative of rape.  For seven years, the child and her mother ran pillar to post, made innumerable trips to the court, and encountered a hostile defence, all in the hope that they would get justice in the end. But on September 9, Bengaluru Rural Sessions court acquitted the accused Madhusudhan – a plumber employed by the school – who was represented by top criminal lawyer CH Hanumantaraya. The same lawyer who has in the past represented several politicians, including mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy in the Ambident Scam case. He also represented Kampli MLA Ganesh, who was accused of brutally assaulting Vijayanagara MLA Anand Singh, and also former gangster Agni Sridhar. “How does a man who does not earn a lot of money, afford such an expensive celebrity lawyer like Hanumantharaya?” asks the distraught mother who has found the entire legal process for justice taxing. “I think the school paid him to defend the man, as they did not want their reputation to be destroyed,” she alleges. There are cases in which lawyers represent clients pro bono, however both the lawyer and the school did not respond to repeated queries.  It has been a tough and malicious fight for the mother as, initially, the defence suggested that the child – the seven-year-old – was sexually active. When this line was objected to, the defence maintained that she had a vivid imagination. The prosecution, the child’s mother, and activists who helped her during the trial expressed concerns that from the absence of a medical report to the hostility in court, the scales were heavily tilted against the child. Blaming it on the child’s “imagination” In this case registered just months before the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act came into place, the judgment relies significantly on the defence’s claims that the little girl “was given to vivid imaginations and weaving fanciful stories.”  The judge has also relied on the testimony of Kamava Bopana, the principal of Delhi Public School in Whitefield, that the girl was “imaginative”. This is the same principal who, according to the child and the mother, neglected their complaint. According to the principal, the child had complained in 2011 that a classmate had pulled her undergarments, and therefore, another complaint made the next year, showed her “imaginative skills” she said.  The attendance register The defence’s argument was that other than the child being imaginative, the school attendance register showed that Madhusudhan was not present in school on July 25, 26, 28 and 29 of 2012. But the Thirumalashettyhalli police told TNM that during the investigation, the security guard of the school informed them that Madhusudhan would loiter around the school even when he was not in attendance. “How can the school register be the evidence? The school called the child a liar and is the entity that benefits the most with an acquittal,” a source who worked with the prosecution tells TNM. No medical report of rape Another glaring discrepancy was that the Thirumalashettyhalli Police, who had filed the chargesheet, did not submit the forensic report in the court. Though the initial comment by a doctor at Manipal mentioned injuries, the second medical inspection – samples of which were sent to the Forensic lab – was never sent to the court.  Speaking to The News Minute, BT Venkatesh, Assistant Public Prosecutor in the case, said that the Forensic Science Lab in Bengaluru had not submitted the medical report to the police.  According to a source, “The police had to file a chargesheet and the FSL report was delayed. The FSL in Bengaluru is overburdened with cases. It is abysmally understaffed, and it’s a miracle if a report comes eight months after samples are submitted to the lab. The police and prosecution wrote multiple times to the FSL to submit the report but it was not.” Hostile witnesses In addition to the lack of a forensic report, two school teachers, along with two other witnesses who used to work at the school, who were crucial to the case, turned hostile and refused to testify.  According to the police, the girl’s class teacher had told them during the investigation that she had seen Madhusudhan take the girl inside a washroom and when she came outside, she was crying. When the teacher asked what happened, the girl allegedly refused to answer. The class teacher and three others turned hostile. Assistant Public Prosecutor BT Venkatesh says that the police should have included the teacher and the principal as accused in the case, and not just as witnesses. “What was the teacher doing watching a man take the girl inside the washroom? Why was the principal not mentioned in the chargesheet?” he asks. The child said ‘I don’t remember’ The judgment also mentions multiple times that the girl had said “I don’t remember” to several questions posed by defence counsel Hanumantharaya. The child, who was made to appear in court multiple times and for many years, had said that she did not remember about the principal lining up teaching staff for an identification parade. She had replied, “I do not remember” to certain other specific questions raised by the defence. “How can a little girl remember something that happened years ago vividly and in detail? The trial went on for years and the questions posed were so meandering that it was not possible for her to understand properly,” her mother says. “The case was whether Madhusudhan raped the girl. There was no FSL report. And the Supreme Court guidelines had stated that a strong testimony from the victim can be relied upon. Since the case went on for years, the girl could not remember many details. This is why speedy trials are important,” BT Venkatesh says.  The mother says, she will continue to fight. “From suggesting that my child was sexually active to calling her a liar, we have been subjected to a lot. This is why a lot of parents give up. But I will not give up, I will appeal against this judgment,” she told TNM amidst sobs. When TNM reached out to DPS Whitefield, the Principal Kamava Bopanna said, "He has been acquitted. I am an employee of the school as well. This is a legal matter and I cannot speak about it." 

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