Arrested for filing RTI on Parrikar's health: Businessman
Panaji, April 23 : Arrested and released on bail for uploading a false Facebook post announcing the death of ailing Manohar Parrikar, businessman Kenneth Silveira has said he was arrested two days after he filed an RTI plea with the Goa Chief Minister's Office seeking his health status.
The 35-year-old, arrested and released on bail last week, detailed the police action in a new social media post on Monday. Parrikar is being treated for advanced pancreatic cancer in a New York hospital.
On Monday, Silveira, who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 Panaji Legislative Assembly bypoll against Parrikar, also alleged that the Crime Branch was "instructed by the Chief Minister's Office" to "illegally arrest him".
"BJP government is scared of me and wanted to muzzle me, one of the few reasons for my illegal arrest," Silveira said in his Facebook post.
"This RTI was sent by me directly to the CM office after which I was arrested on flimsy grounds. BJP government stands exposed by me... Only way to silence me is to kill me," said the resident of Vasco port town, 35 km from here.
The application filed under the Right to Information Act, a copy of which has also been uploaded to Facebook, seeks to know among other things issues related to governance in the absence of Parrikar, expenditure incurred by the state government on the treatment of the Chief Minister, copies of his medical bills and Parrikar's expected date of return.
Kenneth was arrested by the Crime Branch of Goa Police on April 18, a day after he put up a post on the social media site claiming Parrikar was dead. He was arrested after a complaint was filed by a Goa Bharatiya Janata Party official.
On April 20, a few dozen members of civil society staged a protest outside the state police headquarters accusing the police of trying to muzzle free speech.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
War with Pak only if inevitable, did not say complete no to it: CM Siddaramaiah
_vb_35.jpeg)
Bengaluru (PTI): Amid Pakistan media playing up his "no need for war" comments over the Pahalgam terror attack, and BJP's criticism, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday clarified that he did not say complete no to war, but meant there should be war only if it is inevitable, as it is not the solution.
Asserting that it was the duty of the Central government to provide security to tourists at Pahalgam, he reiterated his stand that there were lapses in this regard, and failure on the part of the intelligence in preventing the incident.
The terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 has left 26 persons dead, including two from Karnataka.
"No need for war means, if inevitable there should be war...only if inevitable there should be war, there cannot be a solution from war. I did not say no to demands for war," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
When told about Pakistan media playing up his statement, he said, "I did not say no to a war with Pakistan. What I said is that war is not a solution. Security should have been provided there, as many tourists go to Kashmir. Providing security is whose responsibility? It is the Central government's responsibility. I said there was a failure."
"26 people were killed (in Pahalgam), 40 soldiers were killed (in Pulwama attack). So there is a failure of intelligence from the Government of India. I have said that the Government of India did not provide proper security. There should be war if it is inevitable, not that it should not be done at all. But, immediately, there is no need for war, this is what I have said," he added.
Pakistan media has played up Siddaramaiah's "no need for war" comments over the Pahalgam terror attack, to highlight that voices are emerging within India against war.
Siddaramaiah on Saturday had said there is no need for a war with Pakistan, but the central government should strengthen the security system.
"There is no need for war, stringent measures should be taken. The security system needs to be tightened. We are not in favour of war. There should be peace, people should have security, and the central government should take security measures...." he had said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he does not want to comment on what the Chief Minister has said, but noted that India has to be protected and that the Congress party has taken a stand on it.
"Peace, unity and integrity of this nation are important. Everyone's life is also important. We are all Indians. Indian National Congress has taken a stand on this matter, we are all committed to it and we stand by it under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi," he said.
The opposition BJP slammed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with Pakistan media playing up his statement.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of acting like a "puppet" of an enemy nation, at a time when the country is facing a very sensitive situation, with the threat of war looming over the border.
"Congratulations to you. If you ever visit Pakistan again, you are guaranteed royal hospitality. It will not be surprising if the Pakistani government honours you with the highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, as a great peace ambassador who has advocated for Pakistan," he said in a post on 'X', with a clipping of a Pakistani news channel playing up Siddaramaiah's statement.
The presence of people like Siddaramaiah in public life is the biggest tragedy of our country, Ashoka added.
Condemning the CM's statement, veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa urged him to apologise to the people of the country and rectify his conduct.
"At a time when we all have to stand united on the Kashmir issue, Siddaramaiah's statement is condemnable. I condemn his statement. Such a statement by a Chief Minister does not fit for the position he holds. He should apologise to the people of the country and should rectify his conduct," he said.
State BJP President B Y Vijayendra said, people are aware that Siddaramaiah can stoop to any low for minority appeasement, but when it is a matter concerning the country, his point of view that there is no need for war is not right.
"India has never declared war, but for the protection of the country, what needs to be done, the Prime Minister will decide by discussing with all Chief Ministers," he said, as he urged Siddaramaiah to apologise to the nation.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, the entire world is condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, but it has become a habit for Congress leaders to talk lightly about the country without knowing the real situation.
"The entire world is expressing condolences. Most countries are telling India to teach the terrorists a lesson in a way that they understand. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has made a statement that we should not punish those involved in terrorist activities but strengthen our security. This is condemnable," he said in a post on 'X'.
In-charge of BJP's National Information & Technology Department, Amit Malviya in his 'X' post said, "Congress rushes to Pakistan's rescue.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who owes his position to Muslim votes, is being quoted across Pakistan for suggesting that we focus on security measures in Kashmir instead of confronting Pakistan, despite them murdering Indian Hindus in cold blood."
_vb_73.jpeg)
_vb_44.jpeg)