Complaint filed in Karnataka against Kangana Ranaut for calling farmers ‘terrorists’

Controversy

The advocate has made the complaint in reference to a tweet by Kangana where she said that those protesting farm bills aren’t farmers but terrorists trying to divide India.

TNM Staff

A complaint has been filed against actor Kangana Ranaut in Karnataka, accusing her of ‘insulting’ farmers and calling them ‘terrorists’. The complainant is an advocate, Harshvardhan Patil, who has filed the complaint in Belagavi district in the state. He has also accused the actor of criminal intimidation and “intentionally insulting” farming communities “with an intent to provoke breach of peace” and making statements conducive to public mischief. The complaint filed on February 6, 2021, is in reference to a tweet posted by Kangana after she reacted to singer Rihanna sharing an article on the farmers’ protest. Rihanna had shared she questioned why we weren’t talking about the internet shutdown in Delhi’s border areas where farmers have been protesting against the contentious three farm laws. Kangana responded to Rihanna in a bizarre tweet, saying “no one is talking about it because they are not farmers they are terrorists who are trying to divide India, so that China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and make it a Chinese colony much like USA…”  In his complaint, Patil has said that he hails from a reputed farming family in Belagavi, and several of his previous generations have been engaged in agriculture. Referring to Kanagana’s tweet, he has said, “People like Kangana Ranaut who do not possess any knowledge about farming activities and the problems faced by our farming families are involved in making unwanted and unwarranted comments on the entire farming community of India time and again. Sir, the said Kangana Ranaut who is heard to be an actress instead of sharing compassion towards the farming community is addressing them as “terrorists" etc.” “By making such statements Kangana Ranaut is trying to provoke and incite the other citizens of India to attack and assault the farming community and their families posing them to be traitors,” he added in his complaint. Patil has argued that the Panga actor has also insulted the Indian armed forces and their families by referring to the nation as “vulnerable” and “broken”.   Patil has asked for Kangana to be booked under sections sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth etc), 503 (whoever threatens another with any injury to his person), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505(1) (intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force of India to mutiny), 505 (b) (intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public), 505(c) (intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community), 505(2) (commiting an offence specified in any place of worship or in an assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. He has also asked for the police to take action to suspend Kangana’s Twitter account.  Earlier, in October 2020, an FIR had been registered gainst Kangana for tweets against farmers in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district. The FIR was registered under Sections 44 (injury), 108 (abettor), 153 (giving provocation with intent to cause riots), 153(A) (vilification or attacks upon the religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc of any particular group), and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), and was based on a complaint by advocate Ramesh L Naik.  The lawyer had taken objection to a tweet by the actor in September 2020 where she said, “People who spread misinformation and rumours about CAA that caused riots are the same people who are now spreading misinformation about Farmers bill and causing terror in the nation, they are terrorists. You very well know what I said but simply like to spread misinformation (sic)." Last year, Bollywood casting director and fitness trainer Munawwar Ali Sayyed had also filed a complaint against Kangana and her sister Rangoli in October 2020.He had alleged that both the sisters were trying to create hatred and communal tension through their social media posts. The sisters were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to Section 295A (committing malicious or deliberate acts with the intention of outraging religious feelings of citizens), Section 124A (sedition), Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence or language and common intention).

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

Vehicles without FASTag to blame for long queues at toll plazas: Union govt

toll collection

An unstarred question asked the Union government if it was aware about the media reports of long queues at toll plazas despite the implementation of FASTag.

TNM Staff

Source: Picxy/Shalinimathur

Chennai Central Member of Parliament (MP) Dayanidhi Maran posed questions in the Lok Sabha about reported issues with the FASTag electronic toll collection system in India. The unstarred question asked the Union government if it was aware about the media reports of long queues at toll plazas despite the implementation of FASTag. He also asked for details of complaints raised about the FASTag system and the comparison of time taken to pass through toll points before and after implementation of FASTag. In its response, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Roads, Transport and Highways stated, "Cases of queues arise in ‘FASTag lanes’ at fee plazas due to vehicles not fitted with ‘FASTag’ or vehicles without valid, functional ‘FASTag’ entering into it. In the hybrid  lane, which accepts cash, queues arise because of non-FASTag vehicles." The response also added that offenders should pay double the applicable fee upon entering a FASTag lane in the toll plaza. The response further stated that cash payment usually takes more than 40 seconds as opposed to FASTag payments which take less than five seconds. "Waiting time in FASTag lanes has  significantly reduced after implementation of FASTag, which will  further improve as the system gets more operationalised. However, the waiting  time in the hybrid lane, which accepts cash, is  relatively longer because of non-FASTag vehicles," the response stated. The Minister added that 1033, a toll-free helpline number can be used to register complaints related to FASTag. "The facility of instant recharge via UPI on various UPI-enabled apps such as BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc. has been provided," the response stated. In a response to another unstarred question, Nitin Gadkari had earlier said that the deadline for 100% FASTag implementation will not be extended from the current date of February 15.

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3jxtp38
via IFTTT

Karnataka anti-cattle slaughter bill passed in Legislative Council

Anti-cattle slaughter bill

The BJP had 28 MLCs present at the time of voting while the Congress and JD(S) collectively had 31 MLCs.

TNM Staff

Image For Representation

The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020 was passed in the Legislative Council on Monday following a voice vote. The vote took place even as the legislators from the Congress and JD(S) continued protests, several of them even tearing copies of the Bill in the Council. But despite their protests, the Opposition failed to demand a division of votes and allowed the BJP to have the Bill passed through voice votes. Just minutes after the newly-elected Deputy Chairman M K Pranesh called for a vote on the Bill, legislators came to the well of the House and shouted slogans against the government and the Bill. Congress MLCs Naseer Ahmed, M Narayanaswamy and R B Thimmapur were among those who tore copies of the Bill in protest. The vote came after a lengthy debate on the issue in which Opposition legislators raised concerns about the bill, particularly the legal protection offered to 'good samaritans'. The BJP had 28 MLCs present at the time of voting while the Congress and JD(S) collectively had 31 MLCs present. Despite the numbers, the Opposition parties failed to prevent the passage of the Bill. The Council was adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday. Under the new law, only male or female buffalo above the age of 13 can be slaughtered. However, cow, calf of a cow, bull, bullock are prohibited from slaughter. This means that beef meat will be unavailable in the state and only buffalo meat from buffaloes above 13 years of age can be sold. Penalties for violations range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh per animal and three to seven years’ imprisonment. It also gives the police power to search and seize on the basis of “reason to believe” that cattle is being sold, purchased or disposed of for the purpose of slaughter. The previous Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964 had banned the slaughter of cows and calf of she-buffalo. However, the older law had permitted bull, bullock, buffalo (male or female) to be slaughtered if the animal was above 12 years of age, or if it was incapacitated for breeding, draught or giving milk due to injury, deformity or any other cause. The BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government had passed the bill in the Legislative Assembly but failed to introduce the bill in the Legislative Council. The government had then taken an ordinance route and the cabinet passed the ordinance. It was later promulgated by the Governor Vajubhai Vala and now passed in the Legislative Council.

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3aJ6nCm
via IFTTT

Why Kuruba community’s tallest leader Siddaramaiah stayed away from their rally

Politics

A source close to Siddaramaiah confirmed to TNM that he has been put in a tough spot by the Kuruba leaders in the BJP.

Pooja Prasanna

The Kuruba community has been demanding the Schedule Tribe tag and held a massive rally in the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday. But the glaring absence from their rallies, press conferences has been that of the community’s tallest leader- former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Even when asked about the issue in a press conference, a visibly irritated Siddaramaiah said the reporter should pose the question to those who are organising the rally, refusing to comment any further. In the rallies, several leaders have still been voicing their hope for Siddaramaiah to join their campaign but he has been consciously absent. Siddaramaiah has been alleging that the BJP and RSS has been behind the struggle for ST tag for the community. He has accused the Panchayat Raj minister of Karnataka KS Eshwarappa of trying to get political mileage out of the issue and not using his influence in the government to secure the ST tag for Kurubas. The former CM has challenged Eshwarappa to have the state Cabinet, of which he is a part, pass a recommendation and pass it to the Union Government which is also headed by the BJP.  While Siddaramaiah’s allegation of an RSS hand in the rally could be a contributing factor, a source close to Siddaramaiah confirmed to TNM that he has been put in a tough spot by the Kuruba leaders in the BJP, many of whom are former party colleagues and more importantly, mentees of the Leader of Opposition. If he visibly associates himself with the movement now, no matter what the outcome, Eshwarappa gets the credit and emerges as another power centre in the community.  Read:  The Kuruba demand for inclusion in ST list: The politics and politicking in Karnataka Even invitations for Siddaramaiah to lead the movement now is a trap, the source says. BJP leaders have already left their mark on the movement, with yesterday’s rally being attended by four sitting ministers from the community. So Siddaramaiah getting any credit in case the demand fructifies is minimal.  The BJP has been making several efforts to wean the community away from the Congress since they came back to power in 2019 and of the legislators who abandoned Congress and joined the BJP were Siddaramaiah’s close aides like Byrathi Basavaraj, N Nagaraju (MTB) and R Shankar. In the past, the BJP has also tried to woo the Kurubas by saying they declared Kanakadasa Jayanthi (named after a saint the community follows) a public holiday. But these efforts had not yielded the desired efforts as barring local candidates, the community, as a whole, still looked up to Siddaramaiah as its leader. The ST tag issue is aimed at rectifying that, many believe.  Read: K’taka Min leads state delegation demanding ST status for Kurubas, meets Union MoS Since the 2019 elections, the BJP has been making inroads into a region that has been elusive for the party-Old Mysore Region. So the Kuruba rally is helping them consolidate this effort in districts like Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Tumakuru that have large numbers of Kuruba votes. Siddaramaiah‘s camp believes that if he identifies himself with this rally, it would lend legitimacy to this effort. During his tenure as the Chief Minister, many voices within Congress accused Siddaramaiah as focussing too much on his own community and losing the image of being an AHINDA (acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits in Kannada) leader. Supporting the ST tag for Kurubas, who as OBCs already have 13% reservation, he could further alienate many backward communities who have supported him in the past, sources add.  As questions about his absence grow louder, Siddaramaiah has been attempting damage control- he has repeatedly tried to ‘warn’ Kurubas of the RSS ploy to break the community, which after Lingayats and Vokkaligas, is one of the dominant vote banks in Karnataka. He has also thrown a challenge at Eshwarappa asking why he cannot get both state and Union governments to make the reservation happen and only ‘fooling’ the people with public agitations. But despite these overtures, the issue is surely a double-edged sword for the former Chief Minister. 

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

Turahalli tree park row: Bengaluru adventurists bat for controlled access

Environment

The adventure enthusiasts have expressed interest in being a part of a meeting with the state Forest Minister and the residents, which will be held soon.

Prajwal Bhat

Turahalli

Residents living close to the Turahalli forest area in Bengaluru are locked in a tussle with the Karnataka government over its plans to build a tree park in the forest. But amid this opposition, another group says that they are open to exploring the state government's plans. This group, which comprises adventure enthusiasts including cyclists and rock climbers, say that they frequented the forest area in southern Bengaluru for the last 20 years until 2019, when the forest was fenced and entry was restricted. Last week, Sanjay Mohan, Senior IFS officer and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) told TNM that excavators were clearing lantana and thorny bushes to kickstart the construction of the proposed tree park along the lines of 132 other tree parks built in Karnataka. Tree parks are unlike horticulture parks and are established near cities for residents to experience nature and indulge in activities like cycling, yoga and meditation. A section of residents living near the forest are opposed to the 400-acre tree park, which would involve the construction of a walking track and benches for people to sit on. They urged the state government to leave the Turahalli forest area untouched and instead develop the existing 35-acre tree park near the same area.  Residents and conservationists in the area raised alarm about the presence of excavators, and questioned forest authorities about the clearances taken and the work orders issued for the proposed project. They also said that the forest is a nesting ground for peacocks and is home to over 120 species of birds, more than 29 species of butterflies and many species of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, bees and wasps. The residents are against any activity taking place in the forest area. Read: Residents raise alarm about tree park in Turahalli forest area outside Bengaluru However, others in Bengaluru, including those who have frequented the forest for the last 20 years, say that they are open to the development of the 400-acre tree park 'to a certain extent'. "This issue is nuanced and there are groups that want controlled access to the forest areas. This is a community in Bengaluru which used to regularly hike, climb and cycle here and this stopped in 2019 when the forest department restricted entry into the forest area," said Sohan Pavuluri, who has been climbing at Turahalli for over 10 years. The cycling and climbing activities in Turahalli reduced in 2019, even though the forest department later clarified that there was no ban on entry. But in this time, significant developments took place including the fencing of the forest area. The entry into the forest was debated, and adventure enthusiasts said they were in discussions with local residents and conservationists along with the forest department. "But our voices were drowned out even though climbers have been doing clean-ups in Turahalli for over 20 years. Since 2019, adventure enthusiasts have gradually reduced hiking and climbing in Turahalli," added Sohan.  The adventurists said that forest officials have stopped climbers and cyclists from entering the forest for the last two years. "We watched the apartments come up near the edge of the forest around 2014 and 2015 but before that happened, we would hold clean-ups at Turahalli forest," said Preetham, a cycling enthusiast in Bengaluru. "My contention is that the nature here, the leopards and peacocks here, were disturbed when apartments were built on the edge of the forest. Now, the same residents cannot turn into the guardians of the forest and block access to it," said Dipayan Kanjilal, a climber and cyclist who regularly traversed Turahalli in the past.  He pointed to the Avalahalli tree park near Hesaraghatta outside Bengaluru, as an example of how controlled access to nature can work. Sohan added that the Turahalli forest area is an urban forest with rocks of various sizes. "Most rocks mean so much to climbers that they have their own names," Sohan explains. The area used to be a training ground for rough terrain expeditions and mountain biking. "The state government should definitely not take up any work without clearances but the idea of allowing controlled entry into the forest should be discussed," he added. Residents stated that there is currently no detailed project report (DPR) in public domain for the proposed tree park and have held multiple meetings with the forest department over the issue. They are planning fresh protests this month asking the state government to withdraw its plans. Speaking to TNM on the residents' opposition this week, PCCF Sanjay Mohan indicated that the plan for the tree park may change. Forest Minister Arvind Limbaballi and Minister of Cooperation ST Somashekar will soon hold a meeting with the residents to discuss the tree park. "If the people are not willing to accept it, the plan can be changed. The MLA and the forest minister will hold a meeting to discuss the concerns about the tree park and a decision will be taken," Sanjay Mohan told TNM. The adventure groups have expressed interest in being a part of this meeting as well.  

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MIrNY4
via IFTTT

Why leopard sightings are on the rise in and near Bengaluru

Wildlife

Fragmentation of their habitat is one of the major reasons cited by both conservationists and officials.

Sanjana Deshpande

Representative Image

Leopard sightings in and around Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka have taken over the headlines for a few days now. In the latest incident, a leopard was sighted near the Bheemanakuppe village in Kengeri. The videos that surfaced were reportedly said to be 15 days old in which an unsuspecting dog falls prey to the leopard. Forest officials had set up food and cage traps to catch the leopard, which eventually helped them capture the visuals of the big cat. And to the relief of the residents, the leopard was caught on Monday morning. The leopard was trapped in a cage that was kept at Kollur and was later rescued by the forest staff. Ravi, the Deputy Range Forest Officer overseeing the case said, “Two cages were set up at a distance of nearly 5 km. The area was being monitored by us twice a day. People were asked to be alert until we caught the leopard.” @DgpKarnataka @BlrCityPolice Please help. Leopard near kengeri, Challegatta on 23rd. Rumors is that there r 3 leopard. pic.twitter.com/drpXpW2yHD — MadhuSudhan (@BM_Madhusudhan) January 26, 2021   This sighting comes just days after a team of forest department captured a leopard from near an apartment off the Begur-Koppa road in the city. Another leopard was sighted inside a tourist spot Brindavan Gardens in Krishna Raja Sagara reservoir in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district last Thursday. Another six-month-old leopard was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a ditch in Anechakanahalli village of Mandya district. Meanwhile, a stray dog found itself locked inside a toilet with a leopard for hours last Wednesday in Karnataka’s Bilinele village in the Dakshina Kannada district. The two animals were found inside the toilet by a local resident, she quickly bolted the door and alerted the police. Increased sighting of Leopards The increase in the number of sightings of leopards have worried many residents. Sanjay Mohan, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, in a conversation with TNM, highlighted a few reasons why the sightings of the leopards have increased in the cities. According to Mohan, the environment in the sanctuaries and national parks have been successful in making the animals feel safe. “The animals are leading a better life in national parks we built, they are indulging in breeding which has also contributed in the increase of the number of the leopards,” he said. In addition to that, he said, “During the winter season, the leopards give birth to many cubs. Many leopards foray into the cities in search of food for their young ones which can be viewed as one of the factors that have contributed to the incidents of increased sighting of leopards in the cities.” Citing encroachment of people as one among the major reasons, Mohan opined that the human invasion of the wastelands near the forests have increased the probabilities of a leopard being sighted near residential areas. “The poaching of wild animals has been in control for at least the past couple years now and we are hoping that it remains the same, however encroachment of the wastelands around the forest causes the animals to directly be spotted in the residential complexes,” Mohan said. Joseph Hoover, a conservationist with the United Conservation Movement, says that other kinds of poachings have increased, forcing the leopards out of the forests. “A month ago, there was a leopard near Bengaluru which killed 11 sheep near PES University. Leopards are adaptable and can live in thick forest or on rocky terrain and now we are seeing more. One reason is the fragmentation of their habitat and the second is, people are regularly poaching and killing wild boar and deer which is natural food for leopards. What will the leopards live on? Another reason is leopards are caught and released back into a forest but if there is a leopard already there, then this leopard is pushed out again. There is no space to keep more leopards in zoos either,” he says. Conservationists and environmentalists also say that increased activities in forests and eco-sensitive zones have led to the situation. “The eco-sensitive zones that earlier were 4-5km beyond the forest boundaries have now been reduced to one kilometre to 100 meters in some places. The Karnataka High Court had ordered the forest department officials to form a committee to monitor the eco-sensitive zones. But, they have not undertaken the initiative,” said Bhanu Prakash of Bannerghatta Nature Conservation Trust. He further cited that this reduction of area of eco-sensitive zones have caused the animals to further foray into human settlements. Tackling the increase in sighting When quizzed about what people do in such situations, Mohan said, “The Borivali region in Mumbai used to face the same issue. The residents living beside Sanjay Gandhi national park] would spot a leopard very often and would panic. After multiple sessions of training and awareness programs, the people have learnt to live with it.” Mohan said that the issue was brought upon by excessive encroachment of the wastelands near forests “Programs should be held for the citizens to make them understand leopards. The animal does not need much to hide, it can take shelter behind a bush and attack as well. They usually come in search of food and letting them take up the livestock would be ideal,” he said. He added that leopards don’t attack humans unless provoked. If no harm is caused to the wild animal, it will not cause any harm either, he said. Bhanu Prakash added that if authorities took cognizance of activities like quarrying happening in the areas and formed committees to oversee eco-sensitive zones, these incidents will see a decline.

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2YYwI9Q
via IFTTT

If We Want to Defeat Covid, We Need to Boost Medicaid

States often reduce Medicaid benefits during economic downturns. Doing that now could prolong the pandemic.

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