‘Jagrutha Nagarikaru Karnataka’ condemns police action on Pro-Palestine program in Ranga Shankara
writes open letter to CM
Bengaluru: A day after the Bengaluru Police denied permission for a program scheduled at Rangashankara in the city, aimed to protest against Israel's recent actions in Palestine. ‘Jagrutha Nagarikaru Karnataka’ organisation has written a letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharmaih condemning the ban.
Led by artists MD Pallavi, Shwetanshu Bora, and Ramnik Singh, the program featured a literary fest and a short play.
On Thursday, leaders of 'Jagrutha Nagarikaru Karnataka,' including Dr. K. Marulasiddappa, Dr. G. Ramakrishna, Dr. Vijaya, Prof. S.G. Siddaramaiah, Prof. Rajendra Chenni, Dr. Banjagere Jayaprakash, Dr. Vasundhara Bhupathi, Dr. K. Sharifa, and other progressive thinkers, expressed their concern in an open letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In the letter, they demanded that the police department in the state should refrain from suppressing protesters and should protect the constitutional rights of the citizens.
The letter stated, “The forceful suppression by Karnataka Police of peaceful protests advocating for the Palestinian people being held by social activists is causing a major concern among the public. People are expressing their sympathy and compassion for the sufferings of the Palestinian people at a global level.”
The open letter further expressed difficulty in accepting the horrific killings in Palestine, stating, “ it is hard to accept the horrific killing of children and women in Palestine by Israel. Not only global citizens but also Israelis and Jews are also protesting in America and other countries condemning the attacks by Israel.”
In the letter the organisation has made an unanimus request to stop the attack immediately.
Expressing dismay at Karnataka Police’s actions,the letter further emphasized that at a time when the Government of India is retreating its support to the Palestinian people, the Karnataka Police is suppressing peaceful gatherings in support of Palestinian people.
Questioning whether the state has its own policy, the letter added, Peaceful demonstrations by various organizations in Bengaluru city, Sagara and Tumakuru were stopped by the Karnataka Police and the protesters were arrested. This means that there is a doubt whether the state of Karnataka has its own foreign policy.
The letter also points out that the Police is having a lenient behavior towards right wing groups, and are suppressing the real freedom of expression of citizens.
The letter further stressed on the government's duty to protect constitutional freedoms against violence, aggression, and atrocities.
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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
