The government has broad legal authority to detain people in the name of public health. But politically and diplomatically, it’s more complicated.
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‘Never mentioned Gandhi’: BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde denies controversial remark
The BJP MP had questioned the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and described India's independence struggle as an "adjustment" with the British.
File photo
Karnataka BJP MP from Uttara Kannada, Anantkumar Hegde on Wednesday denied he made any controversial statement calling the Indian freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi as an ‘adjustment’ with the British. Speaking to ANI, Hegde stated that he never made any reference to Mahatma Gandhi. “All media reports are false, there is a debate over something that I never uttered. I own my statement. I never made any reference to any political party or Mahatma Gandhi or anyone else. I was trying t categorise the freedom struggle. That is all,” Hegde said. He added, “The speech is in public domain if anyone wants to see, it is available online and on my website. If there is any word that I have uttered against Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru or any freedom fighter, show me. This is a meaningless controversy.” The MP’s statement comes a day after the BJP issued a show-cause notice to him. BJP Karnataka President Nalin Kumar Kateel stated that the party's central leadership has served the notice to Hegde after taking strong objections to his remarks targeting Gandhi and has sought an explanation from him. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru on February 1, Hegde had questioned the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and described India's independence struggle as an "adjustment" with the British. “Freedom fighters who did not sacrifice anything made the country believe that it attained independence through 'Upavas Satyagrah', Gandhi's preferred mode of agitation, and became Mahapurush (great person),” BJP MP Anant Kumar Hegde said. “None of these so-called leaders were beaten up by the cops even once. Their independence movement was one big drama. It was staged by these leaders with the approval of the British. It was not a genuine fight. It was an adjustment freedom struggle,” he said. He also referred to Gandhi’s satyagrahas and hunger strike as “drama”. Hegde’s controversial remarks also created a massive uproar in the Parliament, with the Congress raising slogans against the MP and the BJP as well. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the BJP leader has "insulted" Mahatma Gandhi, who is respected by people across the globe. Opposition members including Congress MPs jumped into the well displaying placards and shouting slogans. Congress members later staged a walkout and after a ruckus, the House was adjourned.
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Bidar school sedition case: Police probe raises questions of religion-based profiling
The Bidar police on Tuesday questioned the children of Shaheen Primary and High School for the 5th time, raising several questions about the investigation.
The Bidar police on Tuesday questioned minor students of the Shaheen Primary School for the fifth time in connection with the sedition case registered against the school’s management and one parent. The sedition case was slapped after students staged a play, which was against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) on January 21. On January 26, the sedition case was registered. Ever since the police have questioned the children multiple times. This has raised several questions over why investigators have not shown restraint while handling the case; and also whether the government is influencing the police in clamping down on the rights of the minority community. Allegations of religious-based profiling Over a month ago, a school in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, owned by RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat was in the spotlight after students staged a play regarding the demolition of the Babri Masjid. A video of the play shows at least a hundred children on stage rushed towards a huge poster of the Babri Masjid, as a narrator said on a loudspeaker: “They start demolishing the structure with anything they can get their hands on. With enthusiasm, Hanuman bhaktas with Hanuman’s anger, they bring down Babri structure. Bolo Shri Ramachandra ki, Jai!” As the proclamation of Ram’s name came on the loudspeaker, the poster of Babri Masjid was brought down by the students, and the children on stage cheered and jumped in excitement. The video went viral on December 15, 2019. A case was registered against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, the RSS leader who owns the school under sections 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) and 298 (Uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) of the Indian Penal Code. A sedition case (rightly) was not registered. So far, the police have not made any arrests in the case. Several politicians including Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi had lauded the performance as well. However, in the case of Shaheen Primary and High School, the management and parent of one little girl were booked for sedition. While the police showed restraint and did not subject children to interrogation in the school in Dakshina Kannada, the same restraint was not offered to the students of Shaheen Primary and High School. “This is clearly profiling on religious grounds. Just because the school is run by members of the Muslim community, a sedition case has been slapped against them. The police did not question the children in the Dakshina Kannada school case, as should be. Children are not to be subjected to such interrogation as it can have a huge impact on their mental health. Questioning school management is different from subjecting small children to interrogation and intimidation,” alleges Professor Rajendra, a member of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties. Professor Rajendra alleges that the ruling BJP, whose leaders have repeatedly made Islamophobic statements were trying to clamp down on dissent and intimidate the minority community. “Only children at the school in Bidar are being subjected to this and just because they criticised the Prime Minister. Our Constitution allows us to criticise our leaders and government policy. Even when there was no cause to file a sedition case it is being done to intimidate the minorities into voicing their dissent against CAA and NRC. The BJP is pressurising the police into doing their bidding. The police must exercise restraint and be unbiased,” he further alleges. Police investigation flawed? Bidar SP Nagesh says that the investigating officer Basavehwar submitted a report of his investigation to him on Tuesday. He says he has followed due process. “I took charge as SP two days ago and I asked the IO (Investigating Officer) to submit a report. In it, he has said that he had ensured the presence of women police officers and also the presence of the child protection officer. He said he took the help of the Special Juvenile Protection Unit in questioning the children but the SJPU did not do the questioning itself,” Bidar SP tells TNM. He says that as the interrogation was not conducted within the premises of the police station, there was no requirement of the SJPU to directly question the children. Speaking to TNM, Arvind Narrain, a lawyer practicing with the Karnataka High Court and specialises in cases falling under the Juvenile Justice Act, says that the Bidar Police’s investigation into the case has raised certain questions about the investigation procedure they followed. Arvind says that under the Juvenile Justice Act, the police must set up a Special Juvenile Police Unit, whose officers must be trained in questioning children, if they have to interrogate minors. He maintains that the repeated questioning of the children in Shaheen Primary and High School is not the right procedure of interrogation. “The first question is why are they being questioned repeatedly. Secondly, they have not followed due procedure and ensured that those qualified for interrogating the children are doing so. Are these officials even equipped to handle this case in a sensitive manner? The biggest question is whether the police themselves are not following the law,” he says. KSCPCR issues notice to police As the Karnataka government and the police came under the spotlight and have been accused of harassing the children in the school, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued a notice to the Bidar SP, the officials of the Department of Public Instruction in Bidar and also the Disctrict Child Protection Officer regarding the repeated questioning of the children. “We have issued a notice and asked for a response from each of these entities as to what was the need to question the children so many times and whether due process was followed and they adhered to the laws prescribed under the Juvenile Justice Act. We have asked them whether the interrogation was necessary at all since the play criticised government policy and no actual violence took place,” an official with the KSCPCR tells TNM. He also said that the KSCPCR will form a committee by the end of Tuesday, which will also probe the matter and submit a report in the coming weeks.
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Photos: Inside Kannada actor Chetan and activist Megha’s socially conscious wedding
Chetan and Megha gave their wedding guests the Indian Constitution as a return gift.
Kannada actor Chetan recently married his partner Megha, an activist, at an event that was as unconventional as it was progressive. The couple registered their marriage on February 1 at the sub-registrar’s office in Bengaluru, and the next day, had a reception at the Vinoba Bhave Ashram. And while their wedding was not the traditional “big, fat, Indian wedding” that sees shows of wealth and power, it was an extravaganza – one that showcased the grassroots and culture of Karnataka, Chetan says. Not only did the couple register their marriage under the Special Marriages Act, but their reception at the Ashram on February 2 saw around 3000 people in attendance. The duo took their “vows of values” led by transgender rights activist and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award recipient Akkai Padmashali, who was present along with her partner. Ask Chetan about his big day, and the excitement is apparent in his voice: “There were people from so many walks of life – actors, politicians, activists… We were not expecting so many people to turn up. But the fact that they did and in such large numbers from all over the state – it meant a lot to us. There was just a lot of love and affection. Nothing was stiff or formal.” Among the attendees were actor Puneeth Rajkumar and his Ashwini, politicians Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Dinesh Gundu Rao and H Anjaneya, to name a few. The cultural performances included dance performances by Lambani and the Siddi communities in Karnataka, philosophical and Sufi songs, and songs about the Constitution. In fact, the return gift to the attendees was a copy of the Constitution. “We wanted people to read the Constitution, to uphold and abide by its values, and to share our ideals of working towards an equal society,” Chetan says. It was their belief in constitutional values that made Chetan and Megha register their marriage under the Special Marriages Act too. “Neither of us believes in inequality or rituals. We wanted a marriage according to the Constitution,” explains Chetan. And as for their vows, the couple took three– a personal vow, a social vow, and a nature vow. Inspired by Babasaheb Ambedkar’s 22 vows, Periyar’s self-respect marriage, and other progressive practices of marriage such as those of the Kuvempu community in Karnataka, the vows the couple took were: “We both through our own free will & mutuality are taking these three vows of values to validate our marriage union. Personal Vow: We will live the ideals of love, respect, loyalty, honesty, & equality. We will respect & take care of both of our parents mutually to the best of our abilities. We will support one another through thick & thin as loving companions. Social Vow: We will work to remove discrimination in all forms and build an equitable & just society. Nature Vow: We will show compassion for all living beings including plants, birds, animals, and all nature.” Even the Vinoba Bhave Ashram where the couple got married was a place chosen by Megha and Chetan because they had a connection with it. Since December 2019, the duo had been working with the children in the Ashram, most of whom are from marginalised communities. The couple bought all the children new beds, and helped paint the walls of the Ashram with images of people from marginalised communities, the working class, farmers, as well as birds and animals from nature. “When the children wake up to those paintings every day, we want them to feel proud of where they come from – their communities – and not feel inferior because they speak Kannada and not English,” Chetan says. He adds that he and Megha intend to maintain a long-term relationship with the Ashram and the children in the time to come as well, to support them and help them in whatever way they can. “We value a socially conscious lifestyle. In the end, Megha and I were really emotional and ecstatic that so many people joined us. We hope that they help us in eradicating discrimination, promoting equal opportunity – especially to women and Dalits – and upholding the Indian Constitution in the years to come,” Chetan says.
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One person admitted to KIMS in Hubballi with suspected coronavirus infection
As of Tuesday morning, over 20,000 suspected cases have been identified across the world, with a large number of them being from China.
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A 39-year-old man from Karnataka's Hubbali has been admitted to Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in the district with a suspected coronavirus infection. Sandip Kelsangad, recently returned from China and complained of a fever, cough and fatigue. Given his travel history, he was admitted to the hospital and is being monitored by a team of experts. "His condition is currently stable but remains under observation. His samples have been collected and have been sent to NIV Pune for testing," stated Director of KIMS Hubbali, Ramalingappa Anteratani. As of Tuesday, 56 samples have been sent for testing out of which 39 have returned negative, including 10 samples which returned on Monday evening. 63 individuals who have recently travelled to coronavirus affected areas have been identified, of whom 58 have been placed under home isolation, 4 have left the country, and 1 was admitted to an isolation ward in a hospital. Four private hospitals have been identified by the Karnataka state government to quarantine any individuals suspected to possibly have contracted the virus. Samples of these individuals are being sent to one of two labs in Bengaluru at either Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) or a branch of the National Institute of Virology located near the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD). Three confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported from Kerala, following which officials from border districts of Mangaluru, Chamrajnagar, Kodagu, and Mysuru have been on high alert. Anyone suspected cases of a coronavirus infection must be reported to the State Surveillance Unit (SSU) Karnataka. "As there are 3 positive cases in Kerala the border districts of Mangaluru, Kodagu, Chamrajnagar and Mysore are on n-CoV surveillance and any suspected are advised to report immediately to State Surveillance Unit (SSU) Karnataka," reads a bulletin issued by Karanataka’s Department of Health and Family Welfare Services. There have been over 20,000 suspected cases reported of the coronavirus across the globe, with most of them being reported from Wuhan city in China’s Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak. As officials race to discover a vaccine or more optimal treatment against the virus, protective measures have been amped up in hospitals and airports across the world. Outside China, one individual from the Philippines succumbed to the virus. As there is no definitive treatment, emphasis has been stressed on prevention and protective measures. Washing hands frequently, using hand sanitizers and other modes of maintaining personal hygiene are important. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Stay home if you are feeling unwell and go to a hospital if you feel that the symptoms are worsening. Officials have advised the use of an n95 mask instead of a usual protective face mask.
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After third case of coronavirus in Kerala, border districts of Karnataka on high alert
Residents in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagara have been asked to report any suspected case to the State Surveillance Unit (SSU).
Kochi medical staff dispose waste
After three confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Kerala, the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has placed four border districts - Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagara - on high alert. "As there are 3 positive cases in Kerala the border districts of Mangaluru, Kodagu, Chamrajnagar and Mysore are on n-CoV surveillance and any suspected are advised to report immediately to State Surveillance Unit (SSU) Karnataka," read a bulletin by the state's Department of Health and Family Welfare Services. A third positive case of coronavirus was confirmed in Kanjangad in Kasaragod district of Kerala. Kasaragod is next to Mangaluru in Karnataka. In Karnataka, 63 travellers from corona affected countries have been identified and 58 are under home isolation. 4 travellers have left the country, while 1 is admitted in hospital and kept in isolation. 56 samples were sent for testing out of which results of 39 samples came negative. "Those who have arrived from the corona affected countries should remain under strict home isolation for 28 days from the date of arrival in India, irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic," adds the bulletin. Since January 20, as many as 7965 travellers at the Bengaluru International Airport have been screened by a thermal scanner to detect fever. The Karnataka government has also identified four private hospitals where suspected persons with travel history are quarantined. Their blood and sputum samples will be sent to either a lab at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) or a branch of the National Institute of Virology located near the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) for testing. Across the world, the coronavirus has been reported in 24 countries including India. Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in central China is the epicentre of the outbreak. At least 425 people were confirmed dead due to the virus which has also claimed the life of a man from Wuhan who was in the Philippines.
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‘Music can change minds’: Vasu Dixit on writing songs about social issues
This Bengaluru-based folk-rock musician’s band Swarathma has composed songs about child sexual abuse, corruption and politics.
Vasu sings with his eyes closed throughout the performance. There’s a certain feel to watching him perform and listening to him sing - his voice penetrates into our touchy edges, like few good music does. Tarakka Bindige of Purandara Dasa, in the voice of this Bengaluru-based musician, feels like a strong beckoning to the inviting laps of a motherly Kannada. TNM caught up with him at Amrapali Jewels where he had alighted for a musical evening. Vasu, with his music, began wafting into the hearts of the people with his unique folk-rock songs, ones that people identified as their own, owing to the regional language and the lyrics that struck the right chords within them. He is one who believes that “music is one that can reach out to people very deep inside.” He gives music to his words in the hope that they become a harbinger of change in the society. Vasu Dixit, who has been a folk-rock professional for over 13 years now, is one of the most popular singers in the country. The band founded by him, Swarathma, is one that has been strumming to the rhythm of people’s hearts for over a decade now. Art for life’s sake Vasu believes in the notion of being a ‘responsible artist’. He thinks that music can be a catalyst for social reform. “I don’t think it’s a conscious decision,” he said. “It is part of my learning that music and art can be more than entertainment. Because music might not change everything at the minute you make a song. But it can definitely change the hearts and minds slowly - it will take its time - for that wave to seep in everywhere.” Swarathma sings songs that are deeply rooted in the social scenarios hoping to send tunes of comfort, wisdom and joy to the people. Some of their songs deal with significant social issues such as - child sexual abuse (Ghum), media sensationalism (Aaj Ki Taaza Fikar), corruption in politics (Topiwalleh) etc. “We did one show in Mysuru and we played a song which is about child sexual abuse,” he said. “And a mother wrote to us the next day saying - I have been thinking about how to talk to my children about sex education and telling them about good touch, bad touch and things. I didn’t have the courage but then I saw you guys singing about it. When you guys are singing about it in public, why can’t I talk to my children - and she said, that night after the show she went and spoke to her children. That’s the kind of change we are hoping to see.” Growing up Vasu hails from Mysuru. “Mysuru is a place known for its culture, music, education and everything related to art - whether its fine arts, visual arts, performing art, all of it. Like any Mysuru middle-class family, I’d just been put into music from childhood,” he said. He began taking lessons in Carnatic music at the age of eight, but later lost interest it, he said. It was later in college in 2002 that he took up music again by forming his own band, Swarathma with friends, who shared the same vigour for music. Vasu’s older brother, Raghu Dixit is also a famous musician in the industry and the front runner of the popular folk band, the Raghu Dixit Project. “He has always been encouraging me to be original on my own and not to do the same that he’s been doing because then there is no originality in that. In that way, he has really pushed me to have my own identity and my own music,” he said. Musical career Vasu also performs outside his band, under Vasu Dixit Collective. “There are songs that I’ve grown up listening to and wanting to do, which probably do not find the space in Swarathma," he said, while adding, “So, I thought I should explore some more. Within the band, there is a sense of this is what we are and this is what we can do." He sings in both Kannada and in Hindi, although there are lyricist friends who help him with Hindi if the need arises while writing a song. “Kannada is definitely closer to me. I’ve felt and listeners have also said that when I sing in Kannada, I sound more believable and it feels like I am meaning everything - not that I feel much different when I sing in Hindi. I am also trying to explore other languages as well,” he said. Vasu is a postgraduate from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. When it comes to art, Vasu is an all-rounder. From fine arts to theatre to film production, Vasu is the complete package. “I see colours in music and I think of a structure for the music, which is also fluid and flowing. I am a very visual musician, I would say,” he said. He is acquainted with visuals just as much as he is with music. While performing, Vasu has a way of experimenting and playing with the visuals. His band dresses up in mystifying costumes to put up a hard-hitting show. “If you see the Indian performing arts, the costumes and the things you present with, has always been a part of it,” he said. “You can do Kathakali without make up also. Even if it is a half an hour performance, they sit for six hours of make-up and put everything on. The colour that they use depicts the character that they want to portray. And it has an impact on the audience,” he said.
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