Cases against Kannada activists will be withdrawn: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured that his government will withdraw the cases filed against those who have fought for the Kannada land and language.
He was speaking on Saturday after inaugurating a grand procession of Bhuvaneshwari and Annamma deities at the city's Mysuru Bank Circle, organised under the leadership of Vatal Nagaraj, president of the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, as part of the Kannada Rajyotsava program.
"Vatal is a fighter who does not compromise on the issue of Kannada. Even when Devaraj Urs offered him a ministership, Vatal did not agree to leave the Kannada party and the Kannada struggle," the Chief Minister said in praise.
"We all must cultivate pride and love for the Kannada land, water, language, and culture. We must foster a Kannada atmosphere in our land. For this, no matter what language anyone speaks to you, you must reply in Kannada," Siddaramaiah called upon the people.
"Everyone who has built a life on Kannada soil respects the Kannada environment. Let's take an oath that we will speak in Kannada on Kannada land. May everyone feel the pride that this is our land, our soil, our water, our language," the Chief Minister said.
Responding to the demand by Vatal Nagaraj and Sa.Ra. Govindu to confer a posthumous doctorate on Devaraj Urs from the University of Mysore, the Chief Minister assured that he would discuss the matter with the syndicate members.
"Mysore University had offered me a doctorate in the past. But I did not accept it. I said no. It is my personal feeling that one should earn a doctorate by studying and expanding one's knowledge," the Chief Minister stated.
In favor of two-language policy: "I am personally in favor of a two-language policy. However, for a two-language policy to be implemented as law, it needs to be discussed in the cabinet meeting," Siddaramaiah said on this occasion.
"The members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (M.E.S) are Kannadigas. If any of them create mischief, we will quell it. The government is ready to do everything necessary for the development of Kannada schools in the border areas," he said.
Belagavi is a part of Karnataka: "There is no compromise on the Belagavi issue. The Mahajan report is final. Belagavi is Kannada land, a part of Karnataka. No one can deny this," the Chief Minister clarified.
Vatal Nagaraj, President of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, Sa.Ra. Govindu, President of Dr. Rajkumar Fans' Association, and others were present at the event.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Businessman lured by FB friend, attacked for extortion in K'taka; 4 held
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
ALSO READ: Private bus from Kerala gutted on the streets in South Kodagu; no fatality reported
Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
