Bommai turns down honorary doctorate, calls for rethink on awards to politicians
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has declined to accept an honorary doctorate from Haveri University, saying it is not appropriate to confer such honours on politicians or those engaged in self-motivated social service.
He said the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours in public life.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Syndicate members of Haveri University for deciding to confer an honorary doctorate on me,” Bommai, MP from Haveri, said in a statement issued on Sunday night.
“However, I have informed the Vice-Chancellor that I will not accept the honour. As I am engaged in public service, I do not seek any awards. I believe the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours. Therefore, I humbly reiterate that I will not accept the honorary doctorate,” he said.
Bommai said honorary doctorates should be awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished and significant service in a particular field over a long period.
“It is my personal view that it is not appropriate to confer honorary doctorates on politicians or those engaged in social service out of self-motivation. I request that this matter be reconsidered,” he added.
Recently, Karnataka Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar proposed the constitution of an expert panel to regulate the awarding of honorary doctorates.
In a letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is also the Chancellor of public universities in the state, the minister highlighted the lack of standards in conferring such honours.
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Leopard killed by gunfire in Mysuru district, K'taka Minister orders probe
Bengaluru (PTI): A leopard was allegedly shot dead in Mysuru district, prompting a probe by forest authorities.
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and punish the guilty.
The incident occurred in the Koppa section, within the Periyapatna limits of Hunsur division, officials said.
The Minister issued a written instruction to the Chief Wildlife Warden, his office said in a statement.
He termed the death of a two-year-old female leopard by gunshot this morning as "very painful" and said poaching for wildlife organs is still ongoing.
He issued directions to conduct an inquiry in this regard.
Noting that Doctors who conducted postmortem have submitted a report that three bullets were found inside leopard's body, Khandre instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter, identify and punish the wildlife poachers as per the law, and take disciplinary action against the relevant patrol personnel if there were any lapse in patrolling in this area.
