Don’t call Lingayats corrupt, activist urges parties

Citizen’s Voice

Let young people think, don’t impose views

There is no governance or faith nowadays. One religion is being patronised and imposed on everyone. Even language is creating boundaries. Not only that ,education too is in jeopardy as history is being changed and rewritten according to some people’s convenience. Rather than imposing things on youngsters, they should be allowed to critically think. The future looks bleak.

Margret Rebello

India needs a remote voting

System

We need a system where all voters can cast their votes from booths other than the ones in their constituencies. Bengaluru voters who can’t travel to their polling stations to vote because of work commitments and other issues are losing out on an opportunity to be a part of the most important process in democracy which is voting. This will also get a lot of young voters, who miss their chance to vote, to do that as well.

Mallikarjun

Burns patients require better treatment facilities

By Siddhi Chauhan

The activist who filed a complaint against Congress leader Siddaramaiah for his “corrupt Lingayat CM” remark on Wednesday requested political parties not to involve Lingayats in politics.

Shankara Sait, the activist,on April 24 filed a complaint against Siddaramaiah in a Bengaluru magistrate’scourt. The matter has been adjourned to April 29.

Addressing apress conference, Saitsaid: “Siddaramaiah made this statement when a private news channel asked him a question.He replied in such a way that conveyed Lingayats are corrupt…,indirectly mentioning political leaders belonging to the community….So it hurt the feelings of Lingayat community.”

Even if the current CM has indulged in corruption, that’s no valid reason call the entire Lingayat community corrupt. “Politely I am asking only one question to him (Siddaramaiah): why are you pulling the entire community in all these matters…. When you become the CM, you will take an oath that you will treat everyone equally, but what you are doing now can you go against your oath?”

“Siddaramaiah, Yediyurappa and JD(S)have to make sure that they don’t involve the Lingayat community into politics from now on,” Sait demanded. “The mistakes were made by Bommai, so he is should be the culprit. Then why is he (Siddaramaiah) involving the entire Lingayat community. If I make any mistakes, you should blame me instead of my entire community.”

R. Swarupananda, the activist’s counsel, said: “The case is still under hearing. The police are yet to verify the comments made by Siddaramaiah.”

Speaking on behalf of his client, Swarupananda said: “When asked by a TV reporter about a particular political party looking at the strategy of appointing Lingayat as Chief Minister,Siddaramaiah said the current CM belongs to the Lingayat community who through corruption hasspoiled the state. As Siddaramaiah involved the entire Lingayat community in his comment, hence any person belonging to the communitycan file a defamation case against the Congress leader.”

Showing the complaint, Swarupananda said: “Based on this statement we have filed a private complaint under the Section 4 of CrPC, that is criminal defamation. Our grievance is that this statement makes a generalized comment against the Lingayat community. Till date the state had several Chief Ministers from this community and nobody has got convicted by court of law for either corruption or any other offence so his statement is far from truth. It basically denigrates an entire sect which has millions of followers in world saying that entire community is full of corrupt and is disrespecting the entire community.” siddhi.c@iijnm.org

According to an article published by ANI News, the Congress leader Jagadish Shettar was among the other leaders who defended Siddaramaiah. He clarified that the leader’s comment was on the present Chief Minister only and it was not meant for other Lingayat Chief Ministers.

When there is no proper burntreatment facility at the primary and secondary healthcare levels, the situation of the patients deteriorates significantly. A national effort is needed to mobilize available resources for more effective treatment of burns patients. Also, people made to be aware of the benefits of skin donation.

Megha Rani

Traffic diversions for IPL are a headache

A Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings Indian Priemeir League match was played at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last week. Because of it, traffic was diverted in that area. I had to go around Chickpet. While diversion of traffic is important to keep traffic jams away, travelling long distances to facilitate them is not worth it.

Ishan Rathi

Bengaluru’s roads are still in a horrible state

The stretch from Whitefield to HSR Layout has become terrible. This is the case all over Bengaluru. After the construction of the metro, everyone thought the roads would improve, but they didn’t. The number of potholes is insanely high. Bengaluru’s transport and road infrastructure need to be revamped as soon as possible to ensure better travel experience for the citizens. It will be a problem for many if the roads continue to be in the same condition as they are now.

Yashwanth Sai