Siddaramaiah tests negative for COVID-19, to be discharged on Thursday

Politics

Incidentally, the news of the Congressman’s recovery comes on his 72nd birthday.

TNM Staff

PTI/File photo

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has tested negative for coronavirus. His office confirmed to TNM that his latest samples have tested negative. The Leader of Opposition and Congressman was admitted in Manipal hospital in Bengaluru, and is expected to be discharged from hospital on Thursday. Siddaramaiah had tested positive on August 4, around the same time that the current chief minister Yediyurappa also tested positive for coronavirus. Both political leaders had gotten admitted in the same private hospital. Incidentally, social media was abuzz with greetings for Siddaramaiah as he turns 72 on this day. Yediyurappa also wished the senior Congress leader. ಹಿರಿಯ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿಗಳು, ಮಾಜಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು, ವಿರೋಧ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನಾಯಕರು, ಆತ್ಮೀಯರೂ ಆಗಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯನವರಿಗೆ ಜನ್ಮದಿನದ ಹಾರ್ದಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು. ದೇವರ ಅನುಗ್ರಹ ಸದಾ ಇರಲಿ ಎಂದು ಹಾರೈಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.@siddaramaiah — B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) August 12, 2020 Wishes poured in for the former Chief Minister from many people. Hearty birthday wishes to my colleague and our leader Shri @siddaramaiah. Wish you good health and happiness. — Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) August 12, 2020 ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಾಯಕರು, ಮಾಜಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ವಿಪಕ್ಷ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರಗೆ ಜನ್ಮದಿನದ ಹಾರ್ದಿಕ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು. ದೇವರು ನಿಮಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಆಯುರಾರೋಗ್ಯ, ನೆಮ್ಮದಿ ಕರುಣಿಸಿ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ದೀರ್ಘಕಾಲ ನಾಡಿನ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡುವಂತಾಗಲಿ ಎಂದು ಭಗವಂತನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.@siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/VKUvjuPLiA — Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) August 12, 2020 Warm Birthday wishes to CLP leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka @siddaramaiah avere . We learn from you about your unstoppable commitment towards Social Justice , your love towards voiceless & your affection towards #RahulGandhi Happy birthday sir pic.twitter.com/nMAbhKavOi — Manickam Tagore MPமாணிக்கம் தாகூர் (@manickamtagore) August 12, 2020 Happy 72nd Birthday. You have proven yourself to be a leader of high ethics and morality. Thank you for your service. @siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/MQarsbzKf7 — Mysuru (@MysuruCity_) August 12, 2020 Following his admission into hospital, hospital authorities had said that Siddaramaiah was responding well to treatment, according to a statement on Friday. “Siddaramaiah the Honourable leader of opposition and former Chief Minister of Karnataka is clinically stable and responding to treatment. He is comfortable and his appetite has improved,” the statement added. Chief Minister Yediyurappa was discharged on Monday after he tested negative for the virus. Following both the leaders testing positive for coronavirus, officials said that they had a tough time during contact tracing due to the large number of political public events they had attended. Read: BSY, Siddaramaiah attended multiple public events, contact tracing is now a nightmare This includes a press conference with around 100 journalists, which Siddaramaiah had addressed on June 30 in Mysuru city. Read: Siddaramaiah's Mysuru residence sealed, around 100 journalists quarantined The leaders had both courted controversy by getting themselves admitted in private hospital despite there being ample facilities in government hospitals. However, when the Karnataka Health Minister Sriramulu tested positive for coronavirus, he got himself admitted in a government hospital in Bengaluru.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/30MmvPy
via IFTTT

Bengaluru violence: Congress leaders condemn mob attack and provocative FB post

Bengaluru violence

"Our experience tells us that only innocents suffer in communal riots. I urge leaders from both religions to resolve the issue amicably," former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

TNM Staff

Image credit: Arun Dev

After three people died and several others were injured due to arson in parts of East Bengaluru late on Tuesday night as the result of violent protests against an 'inflammatory' social media post, Congress leaders in Karnataka came forward to condemn the post and the subsequent violence that followed. Over 100 rioters have been arrested, the police said on Wednesday. Hundreds of members of the Muslim community protested and later went on a rampage following a post allegedly put up by Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy's nephew. In a series of tweets, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "I condemn both violent incidents that erupted in Kaval Byrasandra and also the social media post that instigated the mob. I humbly request both Hindus and Muslims of the area to stay calm, maintain peace and live in harmony. I have spoken to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to immediately arrest all the culprits who were involved in the incident and also those who instigated (the mob). We extend our complete support to the Karnataka govt in establishing peace." "Our experience tells us that only innocents suffer in communal riots. I urge leaders from both religions to discuss and resolve the issue amicably and restore peace in the area," he added. Our experience tells us that only innocents suffer in the communal riots. I urge leaders from both the religion to discuss and resolve the issue amicably & restore peace in the area. 3/3 — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 12, 2020 Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar said, "I condemn the violence that has happened in Bengaluru. No one must take law into their own hands. The government must take strict and exemplary action against the person who made the derogatory social media post as well as those who indulged in rioting and arson." I condemn the violence that has happened in Bengaluru. No one must take law into their own hands. The Government must take strict and exemplary action against the person who made the derogatory social media post as well as those who indulged in rioting and arson. pic.twitter.com/Adhl152LPt — DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) August 12, 2020 Senior leader Dinesh Gundu Rao, who had served as the chief of the party's state unit earlier said, "If anybody has written anything objectionable the law will take its course and there are so many ways in a democracy to fight for justice. In today’s world of social media, provocative words are written by crazy people. Let us condemn it. But violence is not the answer." If anybody has written anything objectionable the law will take its course and there are so many ways in a democracy to fight for justice. In today’s world of Social Media provocative words are written by crazy people. Let us condemn it. But Violence is not the answer. — Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) August 11, 2020 "What was written about the Prophet is the working of a sick mind with an intention to create violence. It is highly objectionable and such statements about any person revered by any community needs to be handled in the strictest way possible by the authorities," he added. Former state minister Priyank Kharge, who is the son of Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge, said, "Those who incited the Bengaluru riots should be found and punished. Leaders, elders of all communities and public representatives have already appealed for peace. I hope responsible reporting will be done by the media to avoid further panic. Let us all be responsible."  Those who incited the #bangaloreriots should be found & punished. Leaders, elders of all communities & public representatives have already appealed for peace. I hope responsible reporting will be done by media to avoid further panic. Let us all be responsible. — Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) August 12, 2020 Around 60 police personnel sustained injuries in violent incidents of stone pelting and attacks by rioters that erupted on Tuesday evening. Police had to resort to firing in order to bring the situation under control. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the city while curfew was clamped under the jurisdiction of the DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations, which were targets of the violence. Commissioner Kamal Pant said that 110 rioters have been arrested in connection with the violence. He also tweeted that the nephew of  the MLA, accused of circulating an offensive Facebook post, has been arrested. Property of the Congress Legislator from Pulakeshi Nagar constituency, Akhanda Srinivas Murthy, was also attacked and vandalised while several police vehicles were damaged in the violence.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/33V9FAv
via IFTTT

Five dead as Bengaluru-bound bus catches fire in in Karnataka’s Chitradurga

Accident

Three children are also reported to have died in the mishap took place at KR Halli in Hiriyur taluk on National Highway 4.

Soumya Chatterjee

Chennai Official/Twitter

Five passengers, including three children, were charred to death in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district after a Bengaluru-bound bus starting from Vijayapura caught fire in the wee hours of Wednesday. According to officials on the ground, the bus had a total of 32 passengers onboard, excluding the driver and the helper. Chitradurga Superintendent of Police G Radhika confirmed the incident and said that the identification of the deceased was yet to be done as the bodies had been completely charred. “We are yet to ascertain why the fire broke out. We have given the vehicle to RTO (Regional Transport Office) and they will inspect and ascertain what caused the fire. We suspect that the engine may have overheated. The bus had started at 9 pm and the driver had only taken a break of 10 minutes until the mishap took place,” she told TNM. Officials said that the mishap took place at KR Halli in Hiriyur taluk on National Highway 4. All the injured have been shifted to the nearby district government hospital. According to preliminary information, the bus was run by a private operator named ‘Kukke Sri Travels’. According to fire and emergency services personnel, the fire had started due to a technical snag in the engine. However, official confirmation is awaited. The Hiriyur police have registered a case and a probe is underway.   This is not the first time that such an incident has come to light. Recently, 50 passengers had a close shave with death after the bus that they were travelling in, caught fire following a road accident in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district in January this year. A private bus plying towards Bengaluru caught fire on NH4 at Tumakuru in September 2019. In that fire, which took place in Tumakuru district, as the bus was travelling towards Bengaluru from Yadgir, at least eight people were injured. A woman had suffered 50% burns due to the fire. In another incident in June 2019, a private bus travelling to Bengaluru from Hyderabad caught fire at around 3.45 am in the morning. However, fortunately, there were no injuries reported in that incident as an alert crew evacuated the bus after spotting smoke emitting from the vehicle. Moments later, the vehicle was gutted and the bus was charred, before the first fire engine arrived to tend to the fire.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3kDtn9O
via IFTTT

Bengaluru now has 13281 active containment zones as total cases rise to 77038

Coronavirus

Bengaluru South continued to top the list with 2,726 active zones, remaining unchanged from the figures in Monday's bulletin.

TNM Staff

Image for representation: PTI

There was a dip in the number of containment zones in Bengaluru on Tuesday as the state government pegged the figure at 13,281; down from Monday's figure of 13,908. In its daily bulletin on COVID-19, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said that 16,097 containment zones had returned to normal in the city so far. Bengaluru South continued to top the list with 2,726 zones, remaining unchanged from the figures in Monday's bulletin. This was followed by Bengaluru East at 2,440. In Monday's bulletin, the East zone had reported 2,619 active containment zones. Meanwhile, Bengaluru West reported 2,349 active containment zones, followed by Bommanahalli at 1,636, Mahadevapura at 1,378, RR Nagara 1,205, Dasarahalli at 785 and Yelahanka at 752. However, there seemed to be some discrepancies in the bulletin as the state government claimed that there were 36,670 containment zones in total that were reported in Bengaluru so far, but only gave the breakdown for 29,378 containment zones. It is unclear as to how many of the remaining 7,292 containment zones are active and how many have returned to normal. Meanwhile, coronavirus recoveries in Karnataka crossed the 1 lakh mark on Tuesday, while 6,257 fresh cases were registered, taking the state's tally to 1.88 lakh, an official said on Tuesday. "Today (Tuesday), 6,257 new positive cases are reported and 6,473 people have been discharged," Health Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey said. With the new discharges, the total recoveries in the state rose to 1,05,599. Of the new cases, Bengaluru continued to report the highest number at 1,610, taking the city's tally to 77,038, out of which 33,070 are active. Ballari district accounted for 738 new cases, followed by the districts of Belagavi (575), Dharwad (276), Dakshina Kannada (243), Mysuru (238), Udupi (219), Raichur (201) and Shivamogga (189). Meanwhile, 86 more patients succumbed to the virus, increasing the state's death toll to 3,398. Of the 1.88 lakh cases, 79,606 are active and 699 are in the ICU. IANS inputs

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/30Ove3V
via IFTTT

Three dead, over 100 arrested in East Bengaluru violence, attack on MLA’s home

Violence

Curfew has been imposed within Banaswadi police sub-division.

TNM Staff

Three people were killed after violence broke out in East Bengaluru over a derogatory social media post on Prophet Muhammad on Tuesday night. Police resorted to the use of force and opened fire in a bid to contain the situation after protests broke out on the post uploaded by the nephew of Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy. The riot-like situation within KG Halli and DJ Halli police station limits, which began around 8.30 pm on Tuesday, was contained around 1 am on Wednesday. Curfew has been imposed within Banaswadi police sub-division. More than 100 people have been arrested from the area. In the violence, around 60 police personnel were injured, more than 25 vehicles and 200 bikes torched.  Many including Deputy Commissioner of Police North East Bhimashankar Guled were injured as the police clashed with rioters, this even as Muslim community leaders appealed for peace and urged the members of the community not to take law into their own hands. The incident led to Home Minister Basavraj Bommai speaking to the Chief MInister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday night itself. Several among the mob were taken in custody by police for violence and destruction of property. Many among the police who were deployed to contain the violence were injured. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant confirmed that a total of 110 people have been arrested for arson, stone pelting and attacking the police. The Commissioner also confirmed that Naveen, the accused who put up the derogatory post, was arrested.  Early visuals showed vehicles being burnt and stones being pelted at the KG police station and MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house being partially torched. Reportedly, Naveen, a relative of the MLA had put out the derogatory post. However, he has claimed that his Facebook account was hacked. DCP East Guled’s official car was also attacked with stones and sticks. He had to be admitted to the hospital. Fire and media personnel who were trying to enter the areas were also attacked.  Revenue Minister R Ashoka confirmed that road blockades had been put in place to stop outsiders from entering the place. He said, “By morning, we will announce who all is behind this.” Incidentally, journalists were attacked, both by the mob and the police. An India Today journalist and TNM reporter were also attacked by the police. Speaking to TNM, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, who visited the spot said, that the situation was brought under control. “A lot of people gathered here and we (Chamrajpet MLA and former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan) got a call from the local DCP to reach the spot and pacify the crowd. We came here to control the crowd but few people took law into their own hands, which is unfortunate,” he told TNM. He added, “In all this confusion, we don’t know what action has been taken against the person who put up the post but I got to know that the person has been arrested. We want the strictest punishment, not because he has posted a derogatory message but he has tried to deliberately create a law and order issue and enmity between two communities. First of all the country is facing a tough time as we are facing an unseen enemy called COVID-19, we don’t want all this. Right now things are calm now and under control.” The MLA also condemned the attack on journalists, saying that the media is also one of the pillars of democracy. “The police cannot indulge in any highhandedness against the media, I will myself speak to the police authorities to ensure that there is no attack on the media when they come out to do their work. In fact, they should be given protection.”

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3kDwiiH
via IFTTT

‘It is India’: Railway official’s response to lack of Kannada signage sparks row

Controversy

The newly-inaugurated hand-washing kiosk at the KSR Bengaluru railway station only had Hindi and English signage.

TNM Staff

The official in charge of the foremost railway station in Bengaluru city, the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna station (KSR), found himself in the middle of a language row shortly after a new facility was announced at the railway station. A new kiosk for washing hands via a foot-operated switch was introduced at the station. However, the equipment only had English and Hindi stickers on it. The South Western Railways’ Twitter handle introduced the ‘hands-free’ wash kiosk intended towards “enhancing passenger convenience and safety” with a video. Enhancing passenger convinence and safety! Foot operated KIOSK funded by Hindustan Lever commissioned today at KSR #Bengaluru station.@drmsbc#India #IndianRailways #Karnataka #IndiaFightsCoronavirus #cautionyespanicno pic.twitter.com/CmyUEiSMkh — SouthWestern Railway (@SWRRLY) August 7, 2020 However, social media users were quick to notice that the kiosk, located in a public place in Bengaluru and accessed by all people, did not have any Kannada signage, but found space for Hindi. “Why Hindi in South India?” one user asked in response to the video. To this, the Twitter handle of the Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru, promptly replied, “Because it is India.” Why Hindi in South India? — Atticus Balgit Finch (@malayaliatticus) August 8, 2020 One user then replied, “You know what we are asking. But you are linking hindi with national identity. We are Indians but Hindi is not my language and I have right to ask information in my mother tongue.” In response, the official account defended its view by calling the user ‘anti Hindi’. “All efforts are made to provide important info in local language as well. Making issue of language every time even if it is a small sticker on the item donated by an outsider agency is not correct. Instead of appreciating the effort you bring anti-Hindi views every time,” the tweet read. You know what we are asking. But you are linking hindi with national identity. We are Indians but Hindi is not my language and I have right to ask information in my mother tongue — VINAYAK TELI (@VINAYAKTELI) August 9, 2020 The tweet triggered pushback from social media users as nearly 300 responses to the officer’s tweet showed. Many of the responses pointed out that the official language in Karnataka is Kannada. @drmsbc india means not only Hindi alone. You people adopt #2langpolicy. Kannada is the administrative language of karnataka. And bengaluru is located in karnataka#serveinkannadalanguage ಅಷ್ಟೇ — ಸಂಜಯ್.ಜಿ.ಡಿ/‌Sanjay.G.D❤️ (@Sanjaysanju83) August 9, 2020 Hindi is not India. Kannada must be first in Bengaluru. — ವಿನಯ್. ಜಿ(Vinay. G) (@Vinayg721) August 9, 2020 Then why is Kannada not used in Uttar Pradesh? — ಅಮೋಘವರ್ಷ (@nripatunga) August 8, 2020 The person running the DRM Bengaluru handle is described in the account’s Twitter bio as railway officer Ashok Kumar Verma. Many used this information to target the official directly, with some posting abusive responses. The row comes close on the heels of the renewed debate on Hindi imposition in non-Hindi speaking states. On Sunday, DMK MP Kanimozhi from Tamil Nadu tweeted that she had been asked by an airport security officer whether she was Indian when she said that she did not speak Hindi.  In recent weeks, the newly-released New Education Policy (NEP) of the central government has been flayed for giving more importance to learning in local languages, rather than using a medium of instruction like English and Hindi.   Read: ‘Are you Indian?’: MP Kanimozhi says CISF officer asked her for not knowing Hindi The Railways row subsided when Congress party spokesperson Lavanya Bhallal tweeted asking for Kannada stickers in addition to the ones in Hindi. “So if it is donated by outside agency is it for the consumption of Kannadigas or non Kannada speakers? If it’s not such a big issue then why the resistance to put small stickers in Kannada? Have Kannada stickers along with Hindi stickers, why so much of resistance for that?” she tweeted. The DRM finally accepted that he would do so. So if it is donated by outside agency is it for the consumption of Kannadigas or non Kannada speakers? If it’s not such a big issue then why the resistance to put small stickers in Kannada? Have Kannada stickers along with Hindi stickers, why so much of resistance for that? — Lavanya Ballal | ಲಾವಣ್ಯ ಬಲ್ಲಾಳ್ (@LavanyaBallal) August 9, 2020 Also read: Can you be Indian if you don't speak Hindi? All FAQs answered

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2XSYEfh
via IFTTT

Violence breaks out in East Bengaluru, Cong MLA's house attacked over derogatory post

Violence

According to police, a crowd of almost a thousand people gathered in front of the KG Halli police station demanding that a Congress MLA's relative named Naveen be arrested.

TNM Staff

Violence has broken out in East Bengaluru, especially KG Halli, DJ Halli and Pulakeshi Nagar, after a Facebook post by a relative of Congress legislator Akhanda Srinivas Murthy reportedly insulting Prophet Mohammed created outrage. According to police, a crowd of almost a thousand people gathered in front of the KG Halli police station demanding that the relative named Naveen be arrested. Hundreds also gathered outside the MLA's house and protested. Vehicles parked outside the MLA's house were torched. According to reports, the protesters did not allow fire engines to enter the street and to douse the fire. Meanwhile, another group arrived at KG Halli police station to file a complaint but alleged that the police refused to file a complaint immediately. The situation quickly escalated after an under-construction house of the MLA adjoining to current residence was damaged around 8.30 pm. Around 25 minutes later, a much larger mob gathered outside the KG Halli police station and started raising slogans, pelting stones and even torching vehicles. DCP East Bhimashankar Guled’s official car too was attacked with stones and sticks. At DJ Halli, a police vehicle was set ablaze. By 10.30 pm, reinforcement of police personnel from adjoining police stations arrived in two buses. Shots are being fired by the police in an attempt to disperse the crowd. The police force outside the police station have been unable to make their way through the crowd and enter the station. Eyewitnesses claim that for at least initial 10 minutes, the police either remained mute spectators or used very little force to handle the crowd even as the violence escalated. Even post midnight, the police force has been largely outnumbered, cornered outside the KG Halli police station. Along with police in riot gear who were deployed to contain the violence, senior police officers including Commissioner Kamal Pant visited the spot. An official police car too was attacked and damaged, as per eyewitnesses.  Reportedly, the MLA’s relative who was detained by the police for questioning claimed that his Facebook account was hacked and it was not he who actually posted the offensive message. Media persons from Kannada news channel Suvarna News too were allegedly attacked by an angry mob while reporting live on the violence. Reporters Ravi and Pradeep have sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at the time of writing. Their cameras were reportedly smashed to stop them from covering the incident. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai released a video with an appeal for peace. “Whatever the issue is, we will investigate it, but vandalism is not the solution. We have deployed additional forces. I have given cops a free hand to  handle the situation. However powerful the guilty are, we will take action. But people must not take the law into their hands." Meanwhile, MLA Srinivas Murthy has sent out a video message appealing for calm. "Hello, this is Srinivas Murthy from Pulikeshi Nagar. I request our Muslim friends, for the mistake of some miscreants, let's not fight. Whatever the fight, we're brothers. Whoever has made a mistake, let's teach them a lesson through legal means. We will also stand with you. Whoever has made the mistake, we will take steps to teach them a lesson. I request our Muslim kin to please remain peaceful. I will also stand with you. Cong MLA appeals for peace. #EastBengaluruViolence pic.twitter.com/JL7BTpf4uS — Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) August 11, 2020 The Week reported that Congress Chamrajpet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan arrived at the DJ Halli police station and wanted the MLA's kin arrested.  "The community is furious and the situation is going out of control. I am at the police station along with religious leaders of our community to file the complaint. We will stage a protest tomorrow," said Zameer Ahmed. Horrible situation in Pulakeshinagar after the attack on our MLA @AkhandaSrinivas house and the Kaval Byrsandra Polcie satiation. Whatever the provocation nobody can take law into their own hands and destroy public property. First priority is to bring things under control. — Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) August 11, 2020 Mufti PM Muzammil Sab of Jamiat Ulema I Hind appeals for peace after violence erupted over a controversial SM post pic.twitter.com/FqVf7Xu8bx — Soumya Chatterjee (@Csoumya21) August 11, 2020 This is a developing story.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3iurwlW
via IFTTT