Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Apr 10: Social activist Mahesh Shetty criticized both the state and central governments for their silence on the Sowjanya rape case, which has remained unresolved for 12 years. He demanded justice not only for Sowjanya but also for other rape victims in the Dharmasthala area.
Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, April 10, at the Press Club in Mangaluru, Mahesh Shetty expressed his dismay, stating, "The report by Somanath Nayak highlights a series of illegal incidents that have occurred in Dakshina Kannada district/Dharmasthala. Despite the district and high court identifying the accused as a criminal, no action has been taken. Over the past 12 years, we have appealed to Siddaramaiah and even travelled to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but justice for Sowjanya remains elusive. On April 14, when Narendra Modi visits Mangaluru, we will submit a written request urging him to transfer the case to the CBI.
"The residents of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are disillusioned with the current politicians who frequently switch parties and disregard party principles. Consequently, many people in these districts have opted to cast their votes for Nota (None of the above) in the upcoming elections. The Nota campaign is gaining momentum, prompting the Prime Minister of India to visit our district. The power of Nota should not be underestimated, as a significant number of Nota votes can prompt the Supreme Court to intervene and inquire about the reasons behind the high Nota count, leading to proactive measures by local authorities. This fight is not just about seeking justice for Sowjanya but is dedicated to all girls who have been victims of rape. We appeal to Prime Minister Modi to recognize that while he governs from Delhi, issues specific to Dakshina Kannada may not reach him. The local leaders elected here are failing to fulfill their duties effectively. Despite our long-standing involvement with Hindu organizations, we are unjustly labelled as anti-nationals when we advocate for justice for a Hindu girl. Citizens are dissatisfied with the handling of this case by the police and judiciary, leading many to choose Nota as a means of expressing their discontent. While we acknowledge that voting is a constitutional right, we encourage our supporters to vote for Nota to raise awareness among both leaders and the public.
"When this incident occurred, Siddaramaiah formed a committee to investigate the matter, but no significant progress has been made since then. Despite Siddaramaiah's lengthy tenure as the leader of the state, he has failed to deliver justice to a young girl. Moreover, in Karnataka, approximately 6574 people have lost their lives due to inability to repay loans, yet no FIRs have been filed in these cases.
“We also question the BJP government about the continued lack of autonomy of our temples, which remain under state control instead of being managed by Hindu organizations," he stated.
When the media inquired about the choice of Nota despite the availability of other candidates, Mahesh Shetty responded, "We will encourage people to vote for Nota whenever we receive support for Sowjanya's cause. We estimate that around 2-2.5 lac voters will choose Nota, and political parties should recognize that Nota is not futile. They should understand its importance and why it was introduced. While we acknowledge that many parties, besides Congress and BJP, have sought our support, we have declined because our primary goal is to engage those capable of bringing about change."
Regarding the approach to the Prime Minister amidst tight security, Mahesh Shetty remarked, "With the assistance of the media, we are reaching out to them. The Prime Minister may not be aware of the situation here, but those who were ousted from here should have informed him."
When questioned about the absence of a complaint lodged at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Mahesh Shetty explained, "We have approached various avenues and sought assistance from all leaders. It is unclear why they remain silent now. As residents of Dharmasthala, it is distressing to witness numerous incidents.”
Tamanna Shetty, Prasana Ravi, Manoj, Anil and others were present.