Communal violence hampers development, says Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao
Mangaluru, June 11: The incidents of communal violence will hamper development works as investors will be discouraged from financing projects in violence-hit regions, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Sunday.
Addressing reporters here, Rao, who has been appointed as Dakshina Kannada district-in charge Minister, asked the district administration, zilla panchayat and other local bodies to accord priority to development initiatives.
He said the government programmes should reach the actual beneficiaries in a time-bound manner without discrimination of caste and religion.
The Minister called upon the police to take stringent action against those who indulge in activities disturbing the law and order in the district. He also wanted the police to have effective control over youths who are provoked by hate speeches and work for communal harmony in the district.
ALSO READ: Laxmi Hebbalkar visits Udupi math after appointment as district in-charge minister
Rao said he was glad to be appointed as the district-in-charge Minister and will work for the people of Dakshina Kannada understanding their sentiments.
He asked the district authorities to take necessary precautions ahead of the monsoon season.
To a question, he said the government will review the allocation of hundreds of acres of land to RSS and its affiliated organisations during the previous rule.
District Congress committee president Harish Kumar MLC, Ashok Kumar Rai MLA, party leaders Shakunthala Shetty, J R Lobo and Ivan D'Souza were among those present.
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.
Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
