Mangaluru, Jan 18: Raising voice against injustice and illegality is one of the rights of the people. Usually people organise protests, Dharnas, condemnation meetings to raise their voice. And yes, this is a democratic life.

It is common that depending on the circumstances, people from various organisations keep on protesting in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Tahsildar, Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, and Police Department almost every day.

But now, to suppress these struggles, the state government has ordered to collect the fixed fees for giving permissions to organise private meetings, conventions, and  protests.

As such, the Mangaluru City Police Department has started collecting fees. To use loudspeakers in a programme, people must pay Rs. 75 for the first day, then it can be continued by paying Rs. 15 per day after that. That means, Rs. 450 per month. Besides that, it has asked to pay. Rs. 500 per day for a peaceful assembly and march.

There is an attempt to suppress struggles through this rule that is dangerous for democracy. DYFI has always been involved in the struggles. We got this information when we went to the police station seeking permission to protest against BJP's resort politics. The government should drop this rule immediately. The police department must clarify what this order says about religious and social programs. Can farmers and beedi workers pay a fee if they want to struggle against injustice?

-Muneer Katipalla, DYFI president

The state government has instructed to collect the fixed amount of fee to permit protests at the end of the last year. Now we are implementing it. No clear indications has come regarding mass protests and padayatras. Whatever instruction comes from the governemnt, It will be followed.

-TR. Suresh, Commissioner, Mangalore City Police

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Bengaluru, Nov 28: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to upgrade 500 government schools as Karnataka Public Schools at an outlay of Rs 2,500 crore in four years.

For the purpose, the state government would borrow Rs 2,000 crore from the Asian Development Bank and contribute Rs 500 crore.

This project will be taken up from July 2025 to June 2029.

According to the Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, there are 308 Karnataka Public Schools functioning in 204 Taluks of the state.

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