Another face of racism
Owing to misuse of social media, truth is traveling at a snail’s pace. People are blind to truth now. Hence, people get to know rumours faster than the truth. Rumours are more attractive over truth. Rumours for their part, gain wings no sooner they are spread and people love them too. They easily fall prey to those rumours started by miscreants. People take law onto their own hands. In one such instance, people in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet have beaten a labourer from Rajasthan to death owing to a rumour relating to child lifters. One rumour that was circulated regarding child kidnappers, had spread like wildfire and this claimed its victim.
The fact that the Rajasthani fellow spoke to a child as a friendly gesture itself was enough to decide he was children kidnapper. People came to that conclusion immediately. And when they come together in groups, they get major bouts of bravery and false valour. Even the weakest man in the group turns into massive fighter owing to the egging on that happens in the group atmosphere. The cold cruel shades become strong colours. According to police department, this rumour about child kidnappers has led to 81 cases of people getting beaten up in the last 25 days. In many places innocent people have been beaten to pulp. This rumour about children kidnappers has spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other places. This virus spreads faster than Nipah virus. Some people have even beaten up beggars who were begging to save their lives. One of them even lost his life.
Though these are sporadic incidents, deep down these can be classified as racism at a different level. Such groups are common in North India. Women have been put to death in Haryana and Jharkhand mistaking them to ‘witches’. Mostly, men who have plans of usurping single women’s property have spread such rumours to get them killed by a mob so that their job becomes easier. A hungry young tribal was killed in Kerala’s Palakkad. That is the highest form of racist violence we have seen in recent days. All those attacks on muslims for transporting the cattle in Haryana and Jharkhand are similar too. Muslims are the most hated community today and are biggest victims of racist violence. Small violences have turned into big time hatred for a community. Sikh massacre turned into Gujarat massacre.
Various group violence instances in Karnataka have happened on those labourers who came looking for employment from Rajasthan, Bihar and other surrounding places. Why should they be seen as robbers or kidnappers? Because they wear torn clothes?
All those who have stolen thousands of crores, have close links with politicians who wear suit-boot, have close contacts with underworld mafias. They wear branded and costly clothes. Aren’t they robbers? Why there isn’t a single attack on them by general public? The common people who come to a conclusion no sooner does a poor man speak to a child, do we show the same presence of mind when a well-dressed man speaks to a child? He could be one too!
We see the same racist violence being exhibited towards labourers who come from North Karnataka to cities like Bengaluru and Mangaluru. The way the bus conductors address them and treat them are different faces of racism. That someone could be ‘kidnapper’ is just a pretext. We need to strengthen our laws so strong that even if a mob lynches someone, we need to get them punished for the crime of having killed an innocent man. Even if the dead man is a child kidnapper, he has to be produced before the court. And no one has the right to take law onto themselves. The lynch mob needs to be taught a lesson by way of being awarded life sentence. Only then, their unruly behavior may come to some sanity.
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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.”
