Kalaburagi: A gas cylinder explosion at Saptgiri Hotel near Sri Sharanbasaveshwara Lake in Kalaburagi has left many injured, with four individuals in critical condition. The explosion occurred while a pipe connection was being made to another cylinder after the previous one was empty.

The injured include the cook Sasikala, Ramesh Firozabad, their daughter Ambika, and sons Mallinath, Rakesh, Shankar, Gurumurthy, Prashanth, Satyavan, Apparai, Mallinath, Vitthalana, Mahesh, and Lakshman. Four of the injured are in alarming condition and have been admitted to a local hospital for treatment. Nine others suffered minor injuries.

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The explosion, which took place in the kitchen on the ground floor, caused significant damage to the hotel building, shattering the windows.

Commissioner of Police R. Chetan Kumar and ACP Kannika Shikhiwal visited the site to conduct an inspection.

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Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."

In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."

He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.

The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."

The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."