Mangaluru mob lynching sparks outrage over Cong ministers’ remarks, government's handling
Mangaluru: The recent mob lynching incident on the outskirts of Mangaluru, in which a man was allegedly beaten to death by a group of individuals, has triggered widespread anger across the state. Social media has erupted with criticism over the remarks made by senior state ministers and the alleged inaction of the Congress-led state government. Questions are being raised about the role of a senior BJP leader in the case, and allegations have surfaced that the police are shielding him instead of ensuring justice.
The controversy intensified after State Home Minister G Parameshwar commented that the mob attacked the victim because he allegedly shouted “Pakistan Zindabad”. His statement sparked outrage, with citizens and activists questioning the source of his information. “Who informed the Home Minister that the deceased shouted pro-Pakistan slogans? If it was confirmed only two days later that it was a murder, how was this detail known in advance?” many questioned online and offline.
Critics argue that this kind of rhetoric is part of a growing pattern of mob lynchings targeting Muslims across the country. The Home Minister has been accused of minimising the gravity of the crime and adopting the narrative of the accused even before the investigation is complete.
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Amid the backlash, Parameshwar clarified that he was only citing what the accused had claimed and that he never personally stated the deceased shouted the slogan. He assured that a detailed investigation is ongoing and added that action will be taken against any police official found guilty of negligence in the matter.
Further anger was fuelled by a statement from District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who referred to the deceased as a person from ‘other community’ and described the attackers as ‘cricketers’. These remarks drew strong reactions from various quarters, with many questioning how an elected representative could refer to a citizen as ‘other’ simply because he hailed from a different region. “Are the voters who brought him to power also others?” some asked on social media.
The deceased was reportedly a resident of Wayanad, the constituency of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, whose silence on the incident has also drawn public disappointment and criticism.
CPM Dakshina Kannada District Committee Secretary Munir Katipalla was among the first to condemn the ministers' comments. He questioned how a migrant worker, brutally murdered in a mob attack, could be labelled a foreigner while the attackers were glorified. He also alleged that the situation in Mangaluru had worsened under Minister Gundu Rao’s watch, as the police commissioner, accused of being close to businessmen and communal elements, was allowed to continue in office despite concerns.
Journalist and author Naveen Surinje also criticised the government. Citing the FIR, which stated that the deceased approached a group of 30-40 people shouting "Pakistan, Pakistan", Surinje questioned the logic and credibility behind such a narrative. “If the government believes such a statement — from someone who is themselves an accused in the murder — then we must question the government’s intention. The victim is no longer alive to deny these claims, and the so-called witnesses are all accused,” he said. He urged the government to speak in the voice of the law, not in the voice of the accused.
The incident and the state government’s response have sparked not just public outrage but growing dissatisfaction among Congress voters, with many feeling let down by the leadership and the law enforcement's conduct in such a sensitive case.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
