Bahutva Karnataka writes open letter to CM, demands measures to restore 'political health' of state
In a congratulatory message to the victorious party in Karnataka, Bahutva Karnataka, a civil society collective committed to justice, equality, communal harmony, and peace, emphasizes the need for immediate and long-term measures to restore the economic, social, cultural, and political health of the state. The collective highlights the disenchantment and disappointment of over 60% of the population with the policies and politics of the previous government, which caused distress and insecurity across various sections of society.
The recent elections witnessed significant participation from civil society organizations concerned about the impact of these policies on the vulnerable sections and democratic fabric of the state. The collective commends the party for raising awareness about large-scale corruption and emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional commitments to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Bahutva Karnataka had previously released sector-specific report cards evaluating the performance of the previous government in areas such as education, healthcare, women's rights, minority rights, workers' rights, and governance. Drawing from these reports, the collective emphasizes the following urgent measures for the new government:
Justice:
Abolish anti-labor laws allowing 12-hour workdays and address grievances of various workforces.
Provide land rights to slum residents and make the 2015 socio-economic educational survey public for enhancing accessibility to education.
Strengthen action against gender-based violence, renew Santwana Kendras, and empower commissions for women and child rights.
Increase funding for preserving forest and marine ecosystems, reviewing environmentally sensitive projects.
Repeal anti-farmer laws and legalize Minimum Support Price.
Ensure transparency in government decisions and tackle the practice of manual scavenging.
Liberty of Thought and Expression:
Uphold civil society's right to dissent and revoke restrictions on protests.
Revoke anti-conversion laws and promote tolerance and unbiased engagement with citizens.
Conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections to facilitate local body functioning.
Equality of Opportunities to Education and Health:
Fill teaching and support staff positions in educational institutions.
Increase school enrollments, allocate funds for infrastructure, and restore mid-day meal schemes.
Formulate a State Education Policy based on consultations with experts, ensuring holistic knowledge and critical thinking.
Allocate resources for improving public health infrastructure and enhance welfare schemes like Indira Canteens and free public transport.
Fraternity:
Address untouchability and inequality, promote diversity, and strictly deal with violations of fraternity and dignity.
Strengthen human rights commissions and involve citizens in decision-making through gram sabhas and public consultations.
The collective also calls for the implementation of a pre-legislative consultation policy to ensure public participation in the lawmaking process. They express their commitment to holding the government accountable and urge continued engagement on issues impacting public interest.
As Karnataka seeks renewal under the new government, the implementation of these measures is seen as crucial to transforming the state into a more just, equitable, and harmonious entity.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
