Mangaluru: ‘BJP is trying to stifle my voice by using innocent Hindus against me, as I am questioning The  BJP’s modus operandi of using religion for political gains.’ alleged veteran actor  Prakash Rai.

While addressing a press conference here at a private hotel, he said that, the wife of  Vedavyasa Kamath, BJP candidate for Mangalore South constituency had appealed to vote for BJP to save Hindutva. ‘I had condemned that through social media.  I had appealed not to use religion for political gains.  Angered by my statement, a leader of BJP women’s wing has attacked me and my family . In addition to this BJP followers are targeting me and my family in social media by using obscene language. They are trying to impress innocent Hindus that I am against Hindus.

I am not against Hindus. I am neither a supporter of any political party. I am a citizen of this country; a Kannadiga. I condemn anybody who uses religion for political gains. The people of this country are not  workers of any  particular party.  A citizen  casts his vote during  elections and leads a life of his own. Nobody should mislead these good Hindus. Hence I am participating in this “ Save the Constitution Campaign “ Prakash Rai said.

‘As a conscientious citizen of this country I am responding to the events happening around me. If it is wrong, let them counter me and convince me. Instead of doing that they are attacking me in social media through vicious slander.  Is it right?’ He asked.

“Yes, I have married twice.  I have divorced one, yet we are good friends even now. She is a daughter in law to my mother and mother to my children. If  BJP followers  are frustrated with me, it is unfair to target my family. Even in underworld, there are certain ethical lines. I will not keep quiet and watch this slander anymore,’ Rai asserted.

‘Religions should light up our lives; it should not be used to ignite fire. BJP even tried cheap political slander with the death of my son. They even circulated the photoshopped photo of me. The editor of Vishwavani even called me a male Gauri Lankesh’ Prakash Rai said.

He  regretted that only those  who cannot digest his  moral anger are reacting this way.  He warned that he will not run away fearing the slander. He cautioned that his patience may run out any time.

 

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Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.