Citizens’ group writes letter to Siddaramaiah, questions govt for suppressing pro-Palestine protests
Bengaluru: In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, members of ‘Bengaluru for Justice and Peace’ expressed their disappointment regarding the government's response to protest's in Bengaluru condemning the ongoing crisis in Palestine.
The group accused the authorities of suppressing peaceful demonstrations and even filing FIRs against protestors. Despite the escalation of violence by the Israeli government, which has led to a grave humanitarian crisis in Palestine, the state government has denied permissions for protests, citing concerns over law and order.
The letter, sent by the concerned citizens' group, highlighted the alarming situation in Palestine, where civilians, including children, have been targeted and killed in the conflict. Hospitals, schools, and religious institutions have been bombed, resulting in widespread destruction. According to data from various sources, 5,791 Palestinians, including 2,360 children, have lost their lives due to the violence. The group emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of citizens to stand against such atrocities and demand justice for Palestine.
“You are aware that the bombing of civilians and systematic violations of human rights continue to be accelerated by the Israeli government, and there is a grave humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Concerned citizens across the world are marching in solidarity against the violence, demanding a ceasefire and justice for Palestinian people,” the letter added.
Despite the citizens' peaceful attempts to raise their voices, the Karnataka state government has consistently denied permissions for protests. The recent denial of permission for a protest scheduled at Freedom Park on October 28, 2023, citing it as an international issue with threats to law and order, has drawn significant criticism. The citizens' group argued that the freedom to protest extends to international issues as well and that their peaceful demonstration in Freedom Park posed no threat to law and order.
“Now, when a genocide taking place in Palestine, it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to stand up against this and demand justice for Palestine. Instead, the state Government is claiming down on protests and not rejecting permission. Last week, the police denied permission to left parties wanting to hold a protest on this issue. You would recall that we also met with you on October 20, 2023 at your residence and apprised you of these denials of permission. Despite that, the police continue to restrict our constitutional right to assemble,” the letter further added.
“The latest such rejection has taken place by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Division) who has rejected permission for a protest to be held in Freedom Park on 28th October, 2023 on the ground that this is an international issue and there is a threat to law and order.This freedom is not restricted only to national issues, but to every issue, and international issues are no exception. Additionally, there is no reason to believe that our peaceful protest in Freedom Park will threaten law and order,” it added.
Furthermore, the group condemned the state government for registering FIRs against protestors supporting the Palestinian cause. Peaceful demonstrators have been detained and faced criminal charges, undermining their fundamental right to assemble and express their opinions. The citizens' group also criticized the authorities for their indifference to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, calling it an abuse of power.
“Such actions of the Karnataka State government is not only an assault on the fundamental rights of citizens to protest, but also display a cruel indifference to the genocide being carried out by the Israeli government, and is an immoral abuse of power by these offices,” the letter stated.
The letter highlighted India's historical support for the Palestinian people, emphasizing the consistent stand taken by leaders from Mahatma Gandhi to Narendra Modi in favor of Palestinian rights. Even the Congress Working Committee and the Ministry of External Affairs have expressed support for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
In conclusion, the citizens' group urged the Karnataka state government to respect the fundamental rights of protestors and reconsider their stance on granting permissions for peaceful demonstrations. They called for a fair and unbiased investigation into the actions of the police and demanded justice for those who have faced undue legal consequences for expressing solidarity with Palestine.
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.
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
===================
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.
