Karnataka health minister violates social distancing norms; takes out procession without mask
Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu has come under criticism for allegedly violating social distancing and lockdown norms by participating in a procession in Chitradurga district on Tuesday in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to party sources, the procession was organized by supporters to felicitate Sriramulu, who is the district in-charge Minister of Chitradurga for ensuring the flow of water to the Vedavathi river from Vani Vilasa reservoir.
The minister was in the district to offer pooja to the river, they said.
In the visuals of the procession shown on local TV channels, flowers were showered on Sriramulu who was on a bullock cart and a mammoth garland made of apples presented to him using a crane.
Siramulu can be seen waving at the large gathering shouting slogans in his praise.
Most people standing in close proximity to the Minister can be seen not wearing masks.
Also a large number of people had gathered at the place not following social distancing.
Sriramulu's action has drawn flak, with several people on social media hitting out at the minister for not following what he preaches.
Many have accused the minister of violating social distancing norms and also lockdown restrictions as social and political gatherings are prohibited as per the guidelines.
The Congress in Karnataka questioned Sriramulu, asking whether the central and state government guidelines were not applicable to him.
It tweeted that his "irresponsible behavior" was sending a wrong message to people.
After coming to know about the widespread criticism, Sriramulu, later addressing the gathering, can be heard requesting people to follow social distancing and wear masks.
"There are reports in the media that people have gathered here in large numbers and no one is wearing a mask.
I request you to maintain social distancing to be safe from corona..we can't stop you, you people are strong and move ahead of us (during procession), you don't listen to us...listen to PM and CM and follow social distancing and wear masks," he can be heard saying.
"Such public meetings are not allowed, but looking at you we got emotional as you people will take me wrong if I don't talk to you..I'm canceling my other programs and going back," he added.
Earlier too, Sriramulu had been accused of violating social distancing during the supply of ration kits and meetings.
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Right to vote under threat, must be made fundamental right: Cong's Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday that the right to vote is under threat and the time has come when it should be made a fundamental right for citizens.
Speaking with reporters, Ramesh lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the Election Commission (EC) has never been as compromised as it has been under him.
"The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer," the Congress leader said, slamming Kumar.
Kumar is completely compromised and has become a player in elections, he alleged.
"Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds -- detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported," Ramesh said, adding that the right to vote is now under threat.
On opposition parties submitting a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to move a motion for the CEC's removal, the Congress leader said they will continue to make efforts for Kumar's removal as he is "compromised".
Ramesh also batted for the right to vote to be recognised as a fundamental right.
"I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable," he said.
The former Union minister said this was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, but it was eventually decided that it should be made part of the Constitution.
B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned that in the future, governments might try to disenfranchise voters, he added.
"Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens," Ramesh asserted.
