BJP will not play politics over sugarcane farmers’ issues: Vijayendra
Bengaluru: State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not indulge in politics over the issues faced by sugarcane farmers, asserting that the party’s support for the ongoing farmers’ agitation is based on humanitarian concern, not political gain.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra criticized the Congress government, stating, “It has been six days since the farmers’ protest began, yet not a single responsible minister has visited them. If we wanted to politicize the matter, we would have joined the protest on the first day itself. We are merely supporting the farmers’ struggle.”
Taking a dig at a Congress MLA who allegedly said that sugarcane growers are not real farmers, Vijayendra called the statement “shameful and insensitive.”
He further added, “When a war is imminent, you don’t begin weapons training at the last moment. The Chief Minister should have convened a meeting with sugar mill owners and farmer leaders well before the crushing season began. Though it’s already late, there’s still time, don’t test the farmers’ patience any further. Don’t just sit idle after writing to the Prime Minister; take concrete action.”
Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister of showing negligence and delay in addressing the crisis. “The situation should not have reached a point where farmers were forced to take to the streets. The protest has now intensified, and instead of taking responsibility, the government is trying to shift the blame onto the Centre,” he said.
Clarifying on pricing mechanisms, Vijayendra pointed out that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is not decided solely by the Prime Minister. “It is determined after consultations with officials and experts from all states. Even if the Centre fixes the FRP, states are free to offer a higher State Advisory Price (SAP). The Chief Minister should approach the issue with humanity,” he urged.
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Health Department launches leprosy awareness campaign in Dakshina Kannada, district reports 47 cases
Mangaluru: The Health Department launched on Friday the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign, to promote early detection and treatment to the disease and also to educate people in the district about leprosy.
The campaign, which is a nationwide initiative, will continue till February 13.
According to a report by Deccan Herald, District Health Officer Dr. HR Thimmaiah has said that 47 cases of leprosy were reported in Dakshina Kannada till December in 2025-26.
He has stressed on the need for early detection and treatment of the disease as it would prevent complications prior to detection. He also stressed on creating awareness, increasing community participation in cases of early detection. “People should not neglect white or brown patches without sensation on their skin,” the DHO advised.
Dr. Thimmaiah added that people diagnosed positive would be treated with free Leprosy Multidrug Therapy (MDT). “The government also provides Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR), splints, self-care kits, multicellular rubber footwear, and reconstructive surgery to patients. People can log on to sanjeevani.opd or esanjeevani.in for free teleconsultation if they come across any symptoms of the disease,” he added.
Referring to social stigma attached to leprosy, the DHO called it a challenge and said that the Department had planned awareness programmes in rural areas in collaboration with gram panchayats to ensure that there is no discrimination of patients. “ASHA workers and staff from other departments will be trained to create awareness among the people to overcome social stigma. A door-to-door campaign will be conducted. In addition, officials will visit educational institutions to create awareness among students,” he said.
Speaking about the leprosy cases in Dakshina Kannada, Dr. Thimmaiah said that the 47 cases were reported between April and December, with 42 being diagnosed as multibacillary (MB) leprosy and five as paucibacillary leprosy. One child too has been detected with leprosy during the year, he added.
He said that the district reported 29 cases in 2020-21, 39 in 2021-22, 75 in 2022-23, 62 in 2023-24, and 43 in 2024-25. The number of cases was higher in 2022-23 as patients were not able to visit hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic in the previous years, the DHO informed.
