‘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.
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.
Rahul Gandhi joins Haryana Congress leader's 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram
Gurugram (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday joined the 'Sadbhav Yatra' of Haryana Congress leader Brijendra Singh here.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reached Gurugram in the evening and joined the yatra. He also walked some distance with Brijendra, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh and other leaders.
Huge crowds had turned up for the occasion.
Later, Gandhi proceeded to the venue where he addressed a public gathering.
Leader of Opposition in Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other Congress leaders, including Randeep Singh Surjewala, B K Hariprasad, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh, were also present.
Brijendra Singh had on Thursday said it is a matter of joy for them that Gandhi was joining the 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram-Badshahpur, "thereby strengthening the Indian National Congress' campaign for brotherhood and harmony".
The 'Sadbhav Yatra' began from Danoda village at Narwana in Jind on October 5, 2025, and has covered 85 of the 90 assembly segments in the state.
The foot march was started by Brijendra Singh, son of Congress veteran Birender Singh, to highlight several national and regional issues.
State Congress chief Rao Narender Singh had asked all party leaders to take part in Friday's event.
Days before his yatra began in October, Brijendra Singh, who narrowly lost the 2024 assembly polls from Jind's Uchana Kalan, accused the ruling BJP of playing "divisive politics" and said that "sadbhav" (harmony) has come under stress in the last decade.
Brijendra Singh was a sitting MP from Hisar for the BJP when he resigned ahead of the 2024 general election and switched over to the Congress. He also alleged that the saffron party creates a wedge in society to achieve its political purpose.
The 'padyatra' has so far covered 85 assembly constituencies in Haryana, traversing more than 2,700 kilometres.
Addressing the public gathering, Brijendra Singh said the yatra is inspired by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he took the party's vision and values directly to the people of the country.
Singh said the yatra has highlighted issues like "Vote Chori" (vote theft), unemployment, poor law and order situation, agrarian distress, and issues related to government employees, labourers and traders.
"Sadbhav (harmony) and bhaichara (brotherhood), which the BJP is attempting to weaken, are the messages of this yatra," he said, adding that its slogan is "Congress ka haath bhaichara ka saath".
"This yatra is a natural extension of the Bharat Jodo Yatra," Brijendra Singh said.
