Karkala theme park: HC issues notice to state govt on PIL to re-erect Parashurama’s statue
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court issued notice to the state government on Tuesday in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) asking for a reinstallation of the bronze statue of warrior-seer Parashurama in the theme park in Karkala, Udupi district.
The 33-foot statue in the park had to be brought down a few months after installation in 2023.
Petitioner Uday Shetty Muniyal had asked the HC to direct the state government to re-erect the statue by issuing fresh tenders and engaging a reputed sculptor, reports LiveLaw. Further, he alleged that there had been a serious fraud in the construction of the statue, with brass being used in place of bronze, which would endanger public safety and violate public trust. Muniyal added that the upper portion of the statue, which was dismantled in October 2023, has been stored outside the park, leaving the theme park incomplete and hurting the sentiments of devotees.
A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi had directed the petitioner during an earlier hearing to deposit Rs 5 lakh with the High Court registry within two weeks to contribute towards reinstallation of the statue. Muniyal’s advocate Srikanth VK told the HC on Tuesday that the petitioner had deposited the money as directed and now sought an issuance of notice to the respondents by the HC.
Accordingly, the HC bench issued notice to the state government and adjourned the case for hearing to December 10.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
