Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday July 11 held district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai directly responsible for the communal unrest in the district.

Addressing a press meet at the BJP office here, Sadananda Gowda said, "The recent developments in the district do not seem to be good. Due to the adamant district administration, Dakshina Kannada is being victimized. Ramanath Rai himself instigated the communal unrest in the district.

He also accepted the challenge put forth by Ramanath Rai to contest against him in the forthcoming Assembly polls. "I am confident that even a booth-level representative is enough to defeat Ramanath Rai," he said.

"Only Bantwal and Ullal are extremely sentisive areas in the district, but unneccessarily Section 144 has been clamped in Sullia, Puttur, Moodbidiri and Beltangady too. Prohibitory orders are just for preventative measures, so this should be clamped only in sensitive areas for just a few days, but it is unfortunate that the district administration is repeatedly extending prohibitory orders even in a few areas of the district which are not sensitive. I demand withdrawal of prohibitory orders in Sullia, Puttur, Moodbidiri and Beltangady," he said.

"Investigation into these communal issues have slowed down as ministers want the police to be under their control. Today I held discussion with the police officials and the district administration, and I will also submit a report to the central home ministry," he added.

Criticising the police, DVS said, "During SDPI leader Ashraf Kalayi's funeral proccession they were seen standing on police vehicle and raising slogans, and they even stabbed one youth just because he belonged to Hindu community, but no case has been registered. But when RSS worker Sharath's funeral procession took place there was stone pelting at BC Road and several cases have been filed. Police are not serious about nabbing Sharath's killers, instead they are conducting late night raids on houses of Hindu leaders over their alleged involvement in stone-pelting.

"During the Assembly session, Ramanath Rai denied the allegation regarding the video that surfaced where Rai was seen ordering superintendent of police to arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. He even claimed that the video was doctored. He should also clarify when Sharath actually died, and why the announcement of his death was delayed. When chief minister Siddaramaiah visited Mangaluru prohibitory orders were relaxed. There is no meaning to preventive measures if prohibitory orders are selectively relaxed. Despite visiting Mangaluru, he did not visit Sharath's residence to console his father. Siddarammaih does not deserve to be chief minister," he said.

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, district BJP president Sanjeeva Matandoor and others were present.

Hundreds of Sharaths will be born to teach lesson to miscreants: DVS

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Jul 11: Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda visited the residence of the murdered RSS activist Sharath and expressed his condolences to the parents of the deceased, on Tuesday, July 11.

“The murder of gentle and innocent RSS activist Sharath is condemnable. Unpleasant incidents are occurring in the district with the involvement of those in the administration,” he alleged.

"I have come to sympathise with the family who have lost their son, the sole breadwinner. Although Sharath is killed now, hundreds of Sharaths will be born to teach a lesson to the miscreants. I will obtain all the information after holding a meeting with the deputy commissioner and police officials this afternoon. In the meeting, I will inform who was responsible for the unpleasant incidents,” he said.

He handed over a sum of Rs 50,000 to Sharath's family, from his funds.

Karkal MLA Sunil Kumar, BJP district president Sanjiva Matandoor, MLC Ganesh Karnik, former MLA Yogish Bhat, Rukmaya Poojary, Monappa Bhandary, leaders Rajesh Naik, Devaraj Shetty, G Ananda, Ashok Rai Kodimbadi, Udayakumar Shetty Udupi, Govinda Prabhu, Dinesh Bhandary, Ramdas Bantwal, Monappa Devasya, Abdul Razak, Krishnappa Poojary Kalladka, Ranjan Gowda and others were present.