Mangaluru, Feb 17: Congress workers on Thursday took out a rally from in the city protesting against state Rural Development Minister K S Eshwarappa's remark about hoisting the saffron flag at the Red Fort.

The protestors, who took out a rally from Hampankatta to the clock tower, raised slogans demanding the minister's resignation over his irresponsible statement.

Police foiled an attempt by the workers who tried to burn an effigy of Eshwarappa during the protest.

Addressing the protestors, former MLA J R Lobo said Eshwarappa appears to have lost control over his tongue. Being a senior leader who knows the Constitution, he should be more responsible while speaking to the media, Lobo said.

Former city mayor Shashidhar Hegde also condemned the statement of Eshwarappa. The minister should be sacked by the chief minister as he is unfit to hold the post, Hegde said.

Eshwarappa had recently made a controversial remark that a day will come when the saffron flag is hoisted atop the Red Fort in place of the tricolour.

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Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.

AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.

“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.

He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.

“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.

According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.

In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.

AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.