Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem says it has no objection on construction of Mahadwara
Slams Bhatkal BJP MLA for politicizing Tipu Gate, Mahadwara row
Bhatkal: Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal on Tuesday issued a press statement adding that it had no objection to the construction of Mahadwara near Nichal Makki Temple. It also slammed Bhatkal-Honnavar MLA Sunil Naik for politicizing the Tipu Gate and Nichal Makki Temple Gate (Mahadwara) row over the last few days.
In the statement, Tanzeem stated that the MLA has unnecessarily dragged the organization into the matter, to politicize the issue and to gain political mileage. The organization added that it had neither interfered in the construction of the Mahadwara nor had it filed any complaint in the Town Municipal Council (TMC) against it.
“Holding a responsible position like an MLA doesn’t go with him repeatedly saying things like “This is not Pakistan”. The MLA needs to understand that this is our country as well and we are entitled to equal rights as them.” The press statement stated.
Slamming Sunil Naik for trying to create a split between the two communities in the town, the Tanzeem said that it had not witnessed an MLA in its over 100-year-old history who would stoop so low to create a split among people.
“Tanzeem has always endorsed and stood for brotherhood and peace. We have not propagated hate and enmity among people as he does, that is not how Islam or the Tanzeem operate, if he thinks he will be able to create a rift between the two communities here, he won’t succeed,” it added.
Adding that the construction of Mahadwara was a ploy to secure votes in the coming elections, the press statement added that people in the constituency are unhappy with the way Sunil Naik had worked and promoted communism since his victory in the 2018 assembly elections.
“The Tanzeem did not object to the construction of Mahadwara, they can construct whatever they want if they have permission from the TMC. Since the construction of Mahadwara was illegal, the MLA is trying to politicize it to mobilize votes for the coming elections.
“He (Sunil Naik) should get a lesson or two from the seniors of his community of how the two communities have co-existed for so many years here in the town. The Namdhari Samaj and the Muslims in Bhatkal share a special rapport with each other and have been living harmoniously in the town for decades. Your political ploys to create a rift between the two communities cannot succeed.” It added.
“Whether it’s any Hindu or Muslim or an MLA or a Minister, anyone who wants to construct anything with proper permission, we do not have any issues or concerns with it. Anyone is free to construct any Mahadwara o Tipu Gate with proper permission. We will not pressurize TMC for or against anything.” The press release further said.
The release further urged the MLA to stop using Pakistan propaganda as the people of the town would not believe it anymore.
MLA Sunil Naik had come out all guns blazing at the Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem over the row adding that the organization was masterminding the communal divide in the region and was hampering the law and order in the town.
Bhatkal has been gripped with controversy ever since an announcement was made regarding the inauguration of Tipu Gate. When the police tried to interrupt the inauguration, the group who wanted to install the gate had argued and objected to the illegal construction of Mahadwara a few hundred meters from the spot.
The police had then sealed both the construction sites adding both the constructions were illegal. The police action had resulted in a stand-off between the two communities.
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Karnataka village switches off TVs, mobiles for two hours daily to help students study
Belagavi: Every evening at 7 pm, a siren rings out in Halaga, a village near Belagavi, signalling residents to switch off all screens including televisions, mobile phones, laptops and tablets for the next two hours.
The community has voluntarily adopted this “digital-free time” to help students focus on studies and to encourage families to spend more time talking to each other. The 'digital detox' initiative, 'No TV, no mobile, just study and conversation', is said to be the first such to be adopted by a Karnataka village, Deccan Herald reported on Monday.
According to the report, Halaga, which has a population of about 12,000 and is located close to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, launched the initiative on December 17. A siren installed at the gram panchayat office marks the start of the no-screen period at 7 pm, and another siren at 9 pm signals its end.
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Gram panchayat authorities are reaching out to those residents who are yet to comply and are urging them to stay away from screen during the two hours.
Authorities are also visiting households that have not fully adopted the practice and are encouraging parents to follow the routine strictly. Teachers and panchayat members plan to continue meeting families to ensure more participation.
The Halaga village exercise is said to be inspired by a similar experiment in Agran Dhulgaon near Sangli in Maharashtra which had a positive response on students' learning habits.
