Hundreds gather in Bengaluru to support shutdown over farm laws

Protest

Many farmers joined the protest in Bengaluru carrying their produce in their hands and along with their cattle.

Theja Ram

Hundreds of people from farmer, Dalit and labour organisations gathered outside Town Hall in Bengaluru to support the nationwide shutdown called on Tuesday against the Centre's new farm laws. Many farmers joined the protest in Bengaluru carrying their produce in their hands and shouting slogans demanding the rollback of the centre's new farm laws. Kodihalli Chandrashekar, President of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, demanded a roll back of the three farm acts. “This government came to power because of farmers. These three farm acts were brought in not to benefit the farmers but to benefit multinational companies and middle men. The government brought in this legislation not to help farmers but to make it easier for the businessmen. What was the need to bring in such laws without consulting farmers? If these laws are not rolled back, farmers across the country will give the Prime Minister and his party men the right answer in the next election.” he said. Farmers bring in their produce and shout slogans demanding the roll back of the #FarmLaws #BharatBandh4Farmers pic.twitter.com/BJL7pqCOP5 — Theja Ram (@thejaram92) December 8, 2020 The farmer and trade union groups protesting outside Town Hall were supported by members of Dalit rights group - Dalit Tigers - who arrived at the protest location waving blue flags and beating drums. Street vendors from Jayanagar also joined the protest in Bengaluru. Indian Youth Congress also joined the protesters in support of their demands. The Bharat bandh however was partial. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses were plying in Bengaluru on Tuesday morning. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa sought to play down the effects of the shutdown in the city. "No one is supporting the Bharath bandh called by the farmers today. You all have seen how the response is in the state and Bengaluru City. Instead of calling protest unnecessarily, they should know the ground reality," he told reporters on Tuesday. President of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Kodihalli Chandrashekar demands roll back of the three farm acts. “The government is out to turn farmers into labourers. What was the needs to pass such legislation’s without consulting farmers?” He says. #FarmLaws2020 #bharathbandh pic.twitter.com/N9JHoEH2aq — Theja Ram (@thejaram92) December 8, 2020 The protest in Bengaluru is being held alongside protests by thousands of farmers in Delhi against the contentious farm laws. They had called for a countrywide Bandh on December 8. The farmers have mainly arrived in significant numbers from Haryana and Punjab. Plans to block roads in Delhi are already in place, in order to urge the Centre to listen to the farmers’ demands and repeal the controversial laws. Farmers have said that they want to hold a peaceful bandh from 11 am to 3 pm on Tuesday.

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2K62i1u
via IFTTT

In this Karnataka village, a Muslim man donated his land for a Hanuman temple

Human Interest

The man's act in Bengaluru Rural district has been widely lauded after the photo of a poster erected in front of the temple hailing his decision went viral on social media.

Prajwal Bhat

The gesture of a Muslim man from Bengaluru to donate 1.5 guntas of land worth between Rs 80 lakh and Rs 1 crore for revamping a Hanuman temple has won hearts at a village in Hosakote taluk of Bengaluru Rural district. A poster lauding his decision to donate the land, erected in front of the temple, has even gone viral. HMG Basha, who runs a transport business for cargo in lorries, decided to donate a part of his family-owned land in Valagerepura in Hosakote taluk of Bengaluru Rural district, which is around 35 km away from Bengaluru. "There was a small Hanuman temple there, so I told a few people that I can give them the land if they want to build a bigger temple. Recently, they came to me to discuss taking 1 gunta land, but I thought it would be too small. I offered them 1.5 guntas land so they can build a bigger temple," says the 65-year-old. He added that he had observed how people were struggling for space to go around the temple during worship, which prompted him to do so too. Even though it was a straightforward decision for Basha, it was met with shock, surprise, and elation in Valagerepura. "They had doubts about what I was doing but I told them that I would love to see a Hanuman temple built on this land," he said. "I think that it is not the people who see a distinction between Hindus and Muslims; they consider us all to be one. However, political leaders, for their own benefit, highlight the religion of people while speaking," he added. "With the situation in the country, the current generation is now thinking more along communal lines. We hear about things like ‘love jihad’, ‘gau hatya’… Will the country progress like this? We should be united and have love for our country," Basha said. He also said that all his family members agreed to donate the land. The temple trust – Sri Veeranjaneyaswami Devalaya Seva Trust – will now revamp the temple at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The land is located close to the highway with Old Madras Road passing right next to it. A poster has been erected hailing Basha's donation, a photograph of which has been shared widely on social media. Basha's actions have also made it to the new through several new media outlets. 

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

Kichcha Sudeep’s next venture to be a directorial?

SANDALWOOD

The actor is currently busy with the shooting of his upcoming ‘Phantom’.

Digital Native

Digital Native

Fans of the Sandalwood star Kichcha Sudeep have been receiving exciting news of the actor’s many upcoming ventures this year. The latest one is that, after wrapping up his portrayal of the lead role in Phantom, Kichcha Sudeep is all set to direct a new film. The star is well known for wielding the megaphone for films like My Autograph, No 73, Shanthi Nivasa, Veera Madakari, Just Math Mathalli, Kempe Gowda and Maanikya. The industry grapevine has it that Sudeep had been working on his directorial during the lockdown, and is keen on taking it further as soon as possible. Interestingly, his upcoming Phantom was one of the first few Kannada films that recommenced shooting once lockdown restrictions eased. The Phantom team completed a long schedule in Hyderabad in late November, and reports are that the next schedule will begin in Kerala. After this, the team will wrap up the project with a song sequence shot in Bengaluru. Sudeep took to social media to confirm the wrapping up of the Hyderabad schedule. He wrote: “A longgg schedule at hyd jus wrapped. Should admit tat it was a totally a great experience. Smthn I wil cherish fr a long time. Startn shoot when noone was even thinking of,, and wrapping what was planned is an achievement by itself. Last schedule starts soon. Cheers(sic).” A longgg schedule at hyd jus wrapped. Should admit tat it was a totally a great experience. Smthn I wil cherish fr a long time. Startn shoot when noone was even thinking of,, and wrapping what was planned is an achievement by itself. Last schedule starts soon. Cheers — Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) November 21, 2020 Directed by Anup Bhandari, Phantom marks the first-time collaboration between the director and Kichcha Sudeep. Manjunath Gowda, a close associate of Sudeep, is producing the film under his banner. While Sudeep plays the lead character Vikranth Rona, Nirup Bhandari will be seen as the character Sanjeev Gambhira, and Neetha Ashok as Aparna Ballal aka Panna. Reports are that Phantom will be released in various Indian languages, given the pan-Indian appeal that Sudeep enjoys. Interestingly, Anup Bhandari has another film lined up with Sudeep. While Phantom is in the making, he also has Billa Ranga Baashaa in the works. According to reports, Billa Ranga Bashaa will be bankrolled by Supri Yanvi Picture Studio, Sudeep’s banner, on a budget of Rs 75 crore, which is an expensive film by Sandalwood’s standards. Sources in the know say that Anup Bhandari is planning Billa Ranga Baashaa as a science fiction flick, and it will be set in the year 2209. All other details regarding this film are being kept under wraps for now, say sources. There are reports doing rounds that Billa Ranga Baashaa will be made in multiple languages, and released across the globe. Besides Phantom in the making and reports about Sudeep planning a directorial, his fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Kotigobba 3. The film was wrapped up in March, but its release was postponed due to the pandemic and ensuing lockdown. Arjun Janya is composing music for this venture, while Shekar Chandru is handling the camera. Madonna Sebastian and Shraddha Das are playing the female leads in Kotigobba 3, with Bollywood actor Aftab Shivdasani in an important role. This film is produced by Surappa Babu under his banner. Sudeep was last seen on the silver screens in Dabangg 3, which was directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan under their banners Salman Khan Films and Arbaaz Khan Productions.   (Content provided by Digital Native)

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2JYG1ma
via IFTTT

Karnataka hospital staffer, 3 friends held for allegedly sexually assaulting teen

Crime against children

The 16-year-old girl had been visiting the hospital to drop off home-cooked meals for her mother who is undergoing COVID-19 treatment.

Theja Ram

Representative image

The Karnataka police on Monday arrested three men in connection with the alleged gangrape of a minor girl, who was abducted from a hospital in Shivamogga district. The 16-year-old girl's mother was admitted to McGann Teaching District Hospital in Shivamogga after contracting the novel coronavirus 15 days ago. The girl had been visiting the hospital to drop off home-cooked meals for her mother. It was during these visits that she met one of the hospital ward boys, Manoj. Shivamogga Superintendent of Police KM Shantharaj said that Manoj would take the food from the girl and promise to deliver it to her mother. "He befriended her and pretended to want to help her out," SP Shantharaj added. The alleged crime took place on December 5, Saturday, when section 144 was imposed in Shivamogga after four unidentified men assaulted Bajrang Dal district president Nagesh. As shops and establishments were closed on Saturday after tension prevailed in Shivamogga city, Nagesh allegedly promised to buy the girl dinner, so she could deliver it to her mother, the police said. "Manoj and his three friends, aged between 22 and 23 years, had already made a plan to abduct her even before Manoj approached her with an offer to help," SP  Shantharaj said. On the evening of December 5, Manoj allegedly took her into a car with three other friends. They drove all the way along the Shivamogga-Sagar Highway and stopped at a secluded spot in Ayanuru, which is about 25 kilometres away from the hospital. "The four men sexually assaulted her inside the car. Manoj later dropped her back at the hospital and allegedly threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about the sexual assault to anyone," SP Shantharaj told TNM. Upon returning, the girl informed her mother via telephone. The girl's mother filed a complaint with the Doddapete Police, who arrested Manoj on Saturday night itself. On Monday morning, the police laid a trap for three of Manoj's friends and arrested them from Shivamogga city. The Doddapete Police took the girl to the Sakhi centre, where a medical examination was conducted. She is now undergoing counselling at the centre. Sakhi centres are government-funded one-stop centres for women who have survived sexual violence. The four men have been booked under section 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. They have also been booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act. 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/33OV0Gc
via IFTTT

BJP MLC writes to Karnataka Chief Justice seeking probe against Akshaya Patra

Controversy

Leher Singh had also written a letter to the Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, to have the allegations of governance issues and fund diversion probed by neutral persons.

TNM Staff

Representation photo

Seeking the intervention of the Karnataka High Court in investigating the alleged irregularities in the Akshaya Patra Foundation (APF), Karnataka BJP MLC, Lehar Singh Siroya has written a letter to the Chief Justice, High Court of Karnataka. In his letter, Singh has urged the High Court to take note of the issues that have been highlighted in the media for the last one month, since the resignation of the independent trustees as well as the erstwhile audit committee members.  Leher Singh had also written a letter to the Chairman of the APF, Madhu Pandit Dasa, to have the allegations of governance issues and fund diversion probed by neutral persons with “no past or present association with either the Foundation or ISKCON Bengaluru”. He has also urged the Chairman to seek the suggestion of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Karnataka High Court in appointing an ‘unimpeachable inquiry committee’.  Saying that his earlier letter to Madhu Pandit Dasa has received no response, the BJP MLC in his letter to the Chief Justice says, “Since it (APF) is a public trust, which receives public donations and government funds, I thought it my duty to humbly request you to take cognisance of the news items and institute suitable action. As you are aware, the APF is an agency that helps many state governments, including the Government of Karnataka, in running the midday meal welfare scheme for school children. APF is headquartered in Bengaluru.” APF is a public-private partnership with ISKCON to provide mid-day meals to schools within a 10-km radius of ISKCON temples across the country. Whistleblowers and insiders have alleged that there is a possibility of leakage by way of grains, construction costs and diversion of donations in the APF program.  “When the story first broke a few days ago, I had written a letter to the Chairman of the APF on 23 November 2020 to step aside and get an independent enquiry done after consulting both the Chief Justice of India and your lordship. Besides others, I had marked a copy of this letter to you. I have attached it again with this letter, besides some news reports, for your easy reference. I wish to report that I have not received any response from the APF to my letter,” Leher Singh wrote.  Meanwhile, the APF has constituted a two-member committee headed by former Central Vigilance Commissioner of India, Shri KV Chowdary to look into ‘all the issues raised by the erstwhile trustees and audit Committee members’. The panel’s report is yet to be submitted. 

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

Trump’s health nemesis gets a new starring role: Reversing Trump’s policies

Xavier Becerra, the California attorney general and former House lawmaker, would enter Biden’s HHS without traditional health or management experience – but with immense power to undo Trump’s actions.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/2IoWDTw
via IFTTT

Karnataka pvt schools suspend online classes on Tuesday in solidarity with Bharat bandh

Education

The Karnataka Unaided School Management Association announced the one-day suspension would be in support of the farmer protests in Delhi.

Sanjana Deshpande

Online classes in private schools in Karnataka will be suspended on Tuesday in support of the ongoing farmers protest in the country’s capital. Over 3000 schools have agreed to take part in the one-day suspension of classes, according to Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Karnataka Unaided School Management Association. However, tests and online exams scheduled for Tuesday will continue as scheduled.   "We have decided to suspend classes for a day. Anyone who is conducting exams or tests need not cancel them. We will compensate for today's suspension by taking classes on another working day," Shashi Kumar told TNM on Monday.   "The plight of farmers will be our plight for one day,” he said.  He noted that schools have been facing major financial hurdles, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “When we are levied with stringent rules regarding everything that the government themselves cannot uphold, it makes managing the school even more difficult,” he added.  “The day isn't too far when our condition will be similar to that of the farmers. We want the government to hear our issues, care about our plight and provide pragmatic solutions." Thousands of farmers have been protesting in Delhi against the contentious farm laws, and had even called for a countrywide Bandh on December 8. The farmers have mainly arrived in significant numbers from Haryana and Punjab. Plans to block roads in Delhi are already in place, in order to urge the Centre to listen to the farmers’ demands and repeal the controversial laws. 

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