The Hindu
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Udupi, Jan 31: Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes said on Friday that State Government should take stern action against the guilty in the Mangalore pub attack.
Speaking to presspersons here, Mr. Fernandes said that the people of the country would not accept such attacks on women by vigilante groups. Even the Indian epics have held women in high esteem. The Centre had discussed the issue with the authorities of State Government.
“If the Government fails to take action against the guilty, a wrong message will go to the people. They may start feeling that they can take law into their own hands and there will be anarchy in the State,” he said.
Asked if the Sri Ram Sene should be banned, he said the State Government should take a decision on this matter. “The State Government should discuss the matter in the Assembly and the Council and take action. We condemn the attack on the pub,” he said.
About KGF MLA Y. Sampangi getting caught by the Lokayukta Mr. Fernandes said corruption should be rooted out.
“It does not matter which party a person belongs to. The guilty should be punished.”
Udupi-Chikmagalur seat
On whether he would contest from the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat, Mr. Fernandes said he was a Rajya Sabha member. Hence he would not contest the Lok Sabha election. The district committees would select the Congress candidate for the seat and pass on the same to State Election Committee and from there to the Central Election Committee. The names of the candidates for the seat would be discussed at a meeting at Sringeri in Chikmagalur district on Friday, Mr. Fernandes said.
On the reported demand by Congress party workers that Priyanka Vadra be made to contest from Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat, Mr. Fernandes said that if Ms. Priyanka Vadra were to contest from there, it would bring back the memories of the former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi’s contest and victory from Chikmagalur in a by-election in 1978. “The memory of that 1978 election is still green in my mind,” he said.
Congress leaders Vasanth Salian and M.A. Gafoor were present.