48 hours – three tragedies
In just a matter of 48 hours, three tragedies struck the state of Karnataka. Even before the state could come to terms with 30 people meeting their watery grave in Mandya after a bus fell into the canal on Saturday morning, the ‘Man of Mandya’ actor-turned politician Ambarish breathed his last on the very night. And even before his final rites are done, former union minister and senior Congress leader Jaffer Sharief has died.
The bus tragedy in Mandya is a result of human greed and selfishness. It should be called a self-created massacre, more than the tragedy. Because the bus that should have been in scarp yard was being run on the road, illegally by the greedy owners. Our Road Transport department, especially the corrupt officers who sit in cushy places in the department are responsible for the death of 30 people. The driver and conductor too are responsible as much. They were aware of the condition of the bus and yet they packed the vehicle with passengers. This crime is not small by any measure. This tragedy has exposed the state government’s responsibility in ensuring such incidents should never repeat.
Steps to clean up the RTO offices across the state and rid them off the middlemen should begin at the earliest. The transportation department had decided on installing CCTV cameras in all its offices some time ago. But that was never implemented. And the reason for this is more than evident. This goes to prove the middlemen mafia that is controlling the department. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has wept in the open over the tragedy but these tears do not get the aggrieved any justice. The officers who aided the running of the bus that was to be junked, have to be found out and punished. Along with this, every office that has close links with the RTO needs to be controlled and kept under surveillance. The middlemen have to be eradicated. This way the tribute to those who lost their lives would be more meaningful.
Following this bus tragedy was the passing away of actor-turned-politician Ambarish. He had taken ill even when he was the minister. He had availed treatment abroad during his last bout. He died rather young. But his tryst with alcohol had pushed him closer to the alleys death. As an artist, Ambarish is unparalleled. And he could have achieved this feat even as a politician. But his lifestyle blocked this possibility. Ambarish had a very different personality in cinema industry.
He stood apart with his ‘rebel’ image at a time when Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan ruled the roost. His film ‘Anta’ gave a new direction to Kannada film industry. Ranganayaki, Paduvaralli Pandavaru, Elu Suttina Kote and other films were loved by everyone and they left a very impressionable remark on general public. His ability to help people even at his own peril had earned him the name ‘Karna’. Though he was a superstar, he lived among people. Hence he was able to make that transition from cinema to politics.
Whatever he had achieved through his cinema, he could not tread that far in politics. Caste based politics had hurt his sensibilities. Though he took to streets for Cauvery issue, he slowly retreated into the background later. He began to hold his caste against his own accomplishments in Congress. He almost got down to blackmailing and turned into a very tricky issue for Congress that they couldn’t discard or accept within the party.
He could have used the political opportunity to carry the messages from farmers to the higher-ups in Delhi. If he had taken to streets for the sake of our farmers, he could have been another MGR. But he lost an opportunity owing to his indiscipline and callousness. The industry respected Ambarish quite a bit after the death of Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan. He worked like a Supreme court whenever issues cropped up within the film industry. Now the industry is almost orphaned with no big names to lead them.
Jaffer Sharief is a statesman that the state saw. He died just few hours apart Ambarish’s death. He wasn’t too active in politics in the recent times. We need to look at his contribution in 70s-80s than judging him for whatever didn’t take place in our lifetime. As railway minister, his contribution to Karnataka is massive. He is remembered in gauge conversion, engine and wheels factory set up in Bengaluru. If the caste politics within congress had not affected him, he’d have been a chief minister of the state during his lifetime.
Eventually Sharief was sidelined for reasons known to his supporters and followers. He lived as a testimony between statesmen and good politics. Today there are enough and more allegations that Muslims do not want to allow statesmen-like persona within their own community. Hence, there is not a single person within Congress to make him the CM of the state. This is not an accident. That’s the major takeaway from Jaffer Sharief’s death.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
