Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi/Mangaluru (HB/SB)
Udupi, Mar 5: Home minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday March 5 released documents to prove that contrary to BJP's claims, most of the deaths of Hindus in the state were due to various non-communal reasons. He said that in some cases, the victims were killed by members or groups of the Hindu community, while some others were suicides.
Addressing the media after holding a review meeting of the coast guard, Reddy released three lists of names - of Hindus killed by right-wing outfits, Muslims murdered by right-wing outfits, and Hindus killed by members of their own community.
"We have produced these lists in the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. A total of 21 attacks took place, out of which in 11 cases the targets were Muslims, who were killed by right-wing outfits. Most of the Hindu activists were killed by their own outfits.
"The other deaths happened due to various reasons. We do not accept BJP's allegations that Hindu activists have been targeted. We have made arrests in all the cases and submitted chargesheets," he said.
Reading out from the list, he said, "Some of victims who were attacked did not die, for instance Ashok Poojary. Vaman Poojary hanged himself, while Rajan Madikeri was an alcoholic who jumped off a building. Ashwath Kumar was hacked to death over political rivalry with a person named Keshavamurthy while Yogesh Gowda was murdered over land dispute.
"Despite these facts, the BJP has been claiming all these deaths as communal murders. As many as 11 Muslims were murdered by right-wing outfits. Why is the BJP silent on that?" he questioned.
Regarding Paresh Mesta's death, he said, "Within a week we handed over the probe to the CBI, still the opposition party (BJP) is inciting Mesta's parents to target the state government."
Giving more statistics, he said, "According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data, Karnataka stands in 10th place in crime. From 2008-2012, the crime rate was 8 percent, which has now reduced to 5 percent. There were 1,05,342 assault cases during BJP's regime, but now the number has reduced to 93,800. During BJP's tenure, 664 fake currency cases were reported, but now the figure has come down to 300. There were 8,885 murders during the BJP government, while under the Congress, the number has come down to 7,759.
"Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is coming to Mangaluru (on March 6). There were cases against him also. UP stands first in terms of rape cases, followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. When it comes to kidnapping cases, Delhi, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh take the top spot," he said.
He also commented on Maneka Gandhi's visit to Udupi and said that he would suppot her call for ban on animal slaughter provided the central government stops export of beef and bans cow slaughter all over India. He said that BJP was 'crocodile tears' over the matter.
On the upcoming Karnataka elections, he said, "Congress will win with a clear majority. Let the BJP do its campaigning. We will protect the people from the BJP." He also said that the northeast elections results where BJP performed well will not have any impact on Karnataka polls. "Karnataka cannot be compared to other states. We have no corruption charges and we have fulfilled all our promises," he added.
To a question on ban on right-wing outfits, he said, "Such a ban should cover all fringe outfits. If they (BJP) wanted to ban PFI and SDPI, they could have done it during their tenure."
He also said that there was no Naxal activity in the state now, and if it is detected, the state government will take necessary action to bring them to mainstream.
Mangaluru
"Sangh Parivar, PFI are terror factories, have plans to close them"
Arriving in Mangaluru from Udupi, home minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday said that Sangh Parivar and Popular Front of India (PFI) were 'terror factories' and that the state government has some 'plans' to close them.
Addressing reporters at Circuit House here, Reddy said, "Sangh Parivar, PFI and SDPI are terror factories. I have some plans to close these factories, and have started the work. But I cannot reveal the details now.
"BJP claims a total of 23 Hindu activities were killed under the Congress government. This is wrong. Only 10 Hindu activists were killed by the members of PFI, SDPI and other Muslim fundamentalist outfits. Rest all were killed by right-wing outfits or died over other reasons.
"Between 2013-14, a total of 11 people were killed by VHP, Sri Rama Sene and Bajrang Dal. BJP is mum on this. Dhanya of Moodigere and Danamma's death also happened because of the members of BJP and Hindu organisations. Their involvement has also been proved in police officer Kallapa Handibag's murder," he said.
Regarding Gauri Lankesh murder case, he said, "SIT is doing investigation and it will reveal the details. I can only say that the investigation is progressing. I have already given answer on this matter in the Assembly. We will nab the killers very soon. I do not want comment on it at the moment."
He also said that there had been no progress in the Kalburgi murder case, but investigation was under progress.
Attacking BJP leaders, he said, "UP chief minister Yogi Adithyanath, home minister Rajnath Singh and other union ministers are giving wrong information about Karnataka during their visits to the state. Our government is better than those in other states in maintaining law and order. We are in 10th place in terms of crime rate."
He gave the same statistics on crime as he did in Udupi, adding, "People should compare BJP and Congress rule before giving statements that law and order has failed in the state."
On the issue of cow slaughter, he said, "BJP is opposing cow slaughter. But why they are not banning the export of beef? BJP is in power so it is very easy for them to ban beef export. But they are not doing it. If beef export is banned, a majority of crimes related to cattle slaughter will decrease.
"Personally I am against cow slaughter and my opinion is that we should not kill any animal. All forms of animal slaughter should be stopped," he added.
Reiterating that the probe into Paresh Mesta death has already been handed over to the CBI, he said, "Now through Paresh Mesta's father the BJP is saying that the state government is not interested in nabbing the killers. I cannot the understand the logic behind this statement. BJP should ask the central government about this because the case is already with the CBI.
He also informed that on his orders, the police have registered a case against the organizers of BJP's 'Jana Suraksha Yatra' in Dakshina Kannada wherein the organizers had allegedly displayed a communally provocative tableau depicting Muslims killing a cow.