API Karnataka extends support to IMA’s nationwide protest against rape, murder at RG Kar College
Non-emergency services in hospitals to remain closed for 24 hours starting August 17 morning
Bengaluru: The Association of Physicians of India (API), Karnataka, along with its Udupi-Manipal Chapter, has strongly condemned the horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student from RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal. In response to the tragic incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide protest, urging the withdrawal of non-emergency medical services for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. on August 17 to 6 a.m. on August 18, 2024.
In a statement, Dr. Suresh Sagarad, Chairman of API Karnataka, and Dr. Vishwanath K, Secretary of API Karnataka, expressed their support for the protest. They emphasized that it is the collective duty of the medical fraternity to stand united in this cause and ensure that the demands for safer working conditions for medical professionals are met. The API Karnataka leadership has urged all its members across the state to actively participate in the protest and suspend non-emergency services as directed by the IMA.
Similarly, the API Udupi-Manipal Chapter, led by Chairman Dr. Shivashankara K N and Secretary Dr. Ananth S Shenoy, has echoed the sentiments of the state body. The Udupi-Manipal Chapter has announced its full support for the protest and has planned a silent candlelight march on August 17, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. The march will commence from the Clock Tower/Board High School in Udupi and proceed to Jodukatte. The event aims to raise awareness about workplace safety for women and express solidarity with the victim.
Members of the API Udupi-Manipal Chapter have been requested to join the march in large numbers, wearing black wristbands or ribbons and bringing candles to light during the protest.
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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
