Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Mar 21: Members of the various organizations under the banner of 'Federation of Patriotic Associations' along with the family of slain RTI activist Vinayak Baliga on Tuesday March 21 held a solidarity march from Shree Venkataramana Temple premises to Baliga’s house at Kala Kunj Road, Kodialbail here, exactly two years after the RTI activist was murdered in cold blood.
After the march, a solidarity meeting was held at CBOO conventional hall. Prof Narendra Nayak, rationalist and chief of Federation of Patriotic Associations, Dr P V Bhandary, activitist, Keshava Dharani, former director, KSRTC, Devadas, convenor of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Wilfred D'Souza, convenor, 'Manava Baduku', and Harsha Baliga, sister of Vinayak Balige were present on the dais.
Explaining the progress of the fight for justice in the Baliga murder case, Prof Narendra Nayak said, "A temple mafia in the GSB community is putting hurdles in the progress of the investigation. We asked for a special public prosecutor for this case. After several requests, the government agreed to appoint a special prosecutor, but now the temple mafia has brought a stay on this appointment.
"In this case, the main accused Naresh Shenoy got bail from the high court on certain conditions. One of those conditions is that he should not interfere in the functioning of Shree Venkataramana Temple and Kashi Math. But after getting bail, he violated the condition and has been interfering in each and every activity related to the administration of the temple. We have proof of this violation and have already submitted it to the court. Now the court argument is complete and we are waiting for the judgment," he said.
"We are also continuing the fight that Vinayak Baliga began to expose the illegal construction of the building belonging to Sharada Educational Institutions. After his death his sister and I continued the fight and now the court has ordered the demolition of the building which was constructed on government land.
"Baliga did not fight against any individual. He tried to put an end to irregularities in the Venkaratamana Temple and the land mafia. Hence the violators together hatched a plot to eliminate him. We have strong suspicions about the administration of Kashi Math. Our fight for justice will continue and we will never rest till justice is done," he said.
Dr P V Bhandary said, "Since the enforcement of RTI Act, a total of 63 RTI activists have been killed in India. Many are threatened and assaulted even now. The governments and the political parties are silent on this, because every government agency and every political party is highly corrupt, and they do not want RTI activists bothering them.
"In the case of Vinayaka Baliga, the temple mafia is the number one accused. Naresh Shenoy is the head of this mafia. The mafia has strong political support from both BJP and Congress. So our fight is against this mafia. Once this mafia is exposed, automatically we will know who all are involved in Baliga's murder," he said.
Wilfred D'Souza said, "Vinayaka Baliga exemplified bravery. He had concern for society and the nation. That is why he raised his voice against illegal activities happening in his surroundings. He left a message for us - to fight until we get justice."
The meeting witnessed a large gathering comprising relatives and friends of Vinayak Baliga. Imthiyaz B K welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering.