Social media abuzz with video of man swimming on waterlogged road on Pumpwell Circle in heavy rain
Mangaluru: Pumpwell Circle, a bustling junction in the city of Mangaluru, underwent a peculiar transformation on Monday evening as heavy rainfall turned it into an unexpected swimming paradise. The persistent downpour, which commenced at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon, resulted in widespread chaos and left numerous individuals stranded at the circle, exacerbating the already severe traffic congestion.
Amidst the tumultuous scene, the attention of onlookers was captivated by a man who took to swimming in the waterlogged junction. A video capturing this sight quickly went viral, showcasing the man navigating the submerged area beneath the Pumpwell flyover, much to the amusement of the gathered crowd.
Amidst the spectacle, the individuals filming the incident could be heard expressing their astonishment and humor, remarking, "Swimming under the Pumpwell flyover, at Mangaluru Smart City."
ALSO READ: Commuters, ambulances face inconvenience as heavy rains pile up traffic on Mangaluru roads
The issue of waterlogging at Pumpwell Junction has long plagued the city, causing immense difficulties for residents, particularly during the monsoon season. Despite repeated complaints from citizens, the problem of artificial flooding persists, even though the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has constructed drains beneath the flyover.
Shanthi Vishwanath, a local businesswoman who owns a shop at the junction, humorously commented on the situation, stating, "It took ten years to construct the flyover, but only a short spell of rain is enough to flood the entire junction." She further emphasized that the root of the problem lies not in the intensity of the rainfall but in the inadequate management of water flow.
The incident at Pumpwell Circle once again highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the persistent waterlogging issues in the area, ensuring the convenience and safety of the city's residents during heavy rainfall episodes.
First monsoon the famous pumpwell circle of mangalore turned into a swimming pool pic.twitter.com/a0r4S6i5Ss
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'Fraud on Constitution': SC rules against religious conversion for quota benefits
New Delhi (PTI): In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court has said religious conversions undertaken solely to avail reservation benefits without genuine belief amounted to a "fraud on the Constitution".
Justices Pankaj Mithal and R Mahadevan passed the verdict on November 26 in a case filed by one C Selvarani and upheld a Madras High Court decision of January 24 denying a scheduled caste certificate to a woman who converted to Christianity but later claimed to be a Hindu to secure employment benefits.
Justice Mahadevan, who wrote the 21-page verdict for the bench, further underscored that one converted to a different religion, when they were genuinely inspired by its principles, tenets and spiritual thoughts.
"However, if the purpose of conversion is largely to derive the benefits of reservation but not with any actual belief in the other religion, the same cannot be permitted, as the extension of benefits of reservation to people with such ulterior motives will only defeat the social ethos of the policy of reservation,” he noted.
The evidence presented before the bench was found to have clearly demonstrated that the appellant professed Christianity and actively practiced the faith by attending church regularly.
"Despite the same, she claims to be a Hindu and seeks for a SC community certificate for the purpose of employment," it noted.
"Such a dual claim made by her," said the bench "was untenable and she cannot continue to identify herself as a Hindu after baptism".
The top court, therefore, held the conferment of scheduled caste communal status to the woman, who was a Christian by faith, but claimed to be still embracing Hinduism only for the purpose of availing reservation in employment, "would go against the very object of reservation and would amount to fraud on the Constitution".
The top court underlined a religious conversion solely to access reservation benefits, without genuine belief in the adopted religion, undermined the fundamental social objectives of the quota policy and her actions were contrary to the spirit of reservation policies aimed at uplifting the marginalised communities.
Selvarani, born to a Hindu father and a Christian mother, was baptised as a Christian shortly after birth but later claimed to be a Hindu and sought an SC certificate to apply for an upper division clerk position in Puducherry in 2015.
While her father belonged to the Valluvan caste, categorised under scheduled castes, he had converted to Christianity, as confirmed by documentary evidence.
The verdict said the appellant continued to practice Christianity, as seen by the regular church attendance, making her claim of being a Hindu untenable.
The bench noted individuals converting to Christianity lose their caste identity and must provide compelling evidence of reconversion and acceptance by their original caste to claim SC benefits.
The judgement said there was no substantial evidence of the appellant's reconversion to Hinduism or acceptance by the Valluvan caste.
Her claims lacked public declarations, ceremonies, or credible documentation to substantiate her assertions, it pointed out.
"One converts to a different religion when genuinely inspired by its principles. Conversion purely for reservation benefits, devoid of belief, is impermissible," the bench held.
The apex court opined in any case, upon conversion to Christianity, one lost their caste and couldn't be identified by it.
"As the factum of reconversion is disputed, there must be more than a mere claim. The conversion had not happened by any ceremony or through 'Arya Samaj'. No public declaration was effected. There is nothing on record to show that she or her family has reconverted to Hinduism and on the contrary, there is a factual finding that the appellant still professes Christianity,” it noted.
The bench said there was evidence against the appellant, and therefore, her contention raised that the caste would be under eclipse upon conversion and resumption of the caste upon reconversion, was "unsustainable".
