JDS chief Deve Gowda slams graft allegations against HD Kumaraswamy, backs PM Modi
Bengaluru, Jun 15 (PTI): JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Sunday strongly defended his son and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy against corruption allegations, calling them "baseless" and part of a deliberate smear campaign.
Speaking at the launch of the statewide JDS tour and ‘missed call’ membership campaign here, the former Prime Ministe said, "Some individuals are systematically spreading false narratives against Kumaraswamy. No one has ever succeeded in these smear campaigns, and no one will."
“Some people simply cannot tolerate Kumaraswamy. They cannot digest his personality and the love he commands from people. No one else in the country has waived farmers’ loans like he did.”
Responding to the remarks that the JD(S) will collapse after him, the veteran leader said, “Never forget, failure lays the foundation for success. Just because we lost (the election), it doesn’t mean we’ll lose heart. The only trouble I have at this age is with my legs, not with my mind. I haven’t lost my memory, and I won’t. Let those who think otherwise hear it clearly.”
Asserting that defeat cannot deter him and there was no question of despair, he exuded confidence that the JD(S) will rise again.
“Morarji Desai handed over this party to me . No matter how much Janata Dal splits, this party has survived and will survive even after I am gone...”
Rejecting accusations that JD(S) is a family-run party, he said, “This is not a family party. It is a party of its workers. Many great leaders have held office through this party, and many are still serving. Some have held positions and left, but the party has endured. Between two national parties, JDS has remained a strong regional force.”
Gowda also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "towering leader" and a "global figure".
“We aligned with BJP because of him (Modi). We joined hands with the Prime Minister. We earned his trust. I did not request him to make Kumaraswamy a minister. It was Modi himself who included him in the Cabinet and gave him key portfolios,” the former Prime Minister said.
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
