Timely action could have restrained Bihar communal violence: Jamiat
New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUH) General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani on Friday said that the communal flare up in the state could have been stopped if they had taken timely steps.
"If the necessary action had been taken against Arjit Shaswat, the son of a Union Minister who is accused of Bhagalpur riots, the ensuing communal flare-ups would not have spread in Nalanda, Aurangabad, and Samastipur," Madani said in a statement.
Expressing deep concern over communal riots in West Bengal and Bihar, he demanded the state and Central governments take every possible steps for restoring peace and amity in the disturbed areas.
Madani exhorted religious and social leaders of the majority community to come forward for thwarting nefarious designs of communal forces who are hell-bent on polarizing society on religious lines.
He reiterated that the district administration should be held accountable for outbreak of any communal riots and that adequate financial compensation should be given to the affected persons.
He also praised Maulana Imdadullah Rasheedi, the imam of an Asansol mosque who lost his young son in the communal violence, for displaying exemplary courage and sacrifice by asking angry Muslim crowds to not take any provocative action in retaliation.
Rasheedi exhorted the emotional congregation that he did not want any more families to lose their loved ones.
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Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar hints at water tariff hike by one paisa/litre in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that a water tariff hike in Bengaluru is imminent, with a potential increase of one paisa per litre.
The revision, he stated, is necessary to fund upcoming phases of the Cauvery water supply project. However, he assured that the government is committed to ensuring that it does not burden the public.
Shivakumar emphasized that the increase is essential to address the massive losses incurred by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is reportedly losing over Rs 1,000 crore annually. "The tariff revision is unavoidable. We must raise the water rate by at least one paisa per litre. However, we have instructed BWSSB to implement this increase in a way that minimises the impact on citizens," he said.
Despite criticism over recent back-to-back price hikes on various services and commodities by the state government, Shivakumar stood firm on the need for the water tariff revision. He added that before the hike takes effect, there would be efforts to raise awareness among the public about the importance of water conservation.
Shivakumar also responded to the BJP's opposition to the tariff increase. He asserted that when they reduced electricity prices, the BJP remained silent. “If they are concerned about citizens' livelihoods, they should first focus on reducing the costs of essentials like petrol, diesel, and animal feed," he said. He further pointed out that despite recent price increases, the prices of milk and curd in Karnataka remain lower compared to other states.
