Karnataka: PFI demands action againt Sangh Parivar activists for wielding weapons at public places
Bengaluru: Popular Front of India (PFI) on Wednesday held a press conference demanding action against Sangh Parivar activists who wielded weapons like swords during their rallies across the state on Vijaya Dashami day. The press conference was held at Press Club Bengaluru.
As a part of Vijaya Dashami celebrations, right-wing groups including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had organised rallies wherein their activists were seen flaunting swords and other weapons, calling it “Hindu Shakti Sangam”.
During the press conference, the organization called for immediate action by the police department and filing of suo-moto case against the organizations.
“On the said occasion, throughout Udupi's main streets, there were public displays of firearms, rifles, and other weapons in public places; this was witnessed in Belagavi's Brahma Nagar's Hanuman Mandir, Bijapur, Davanagere, Gadag's Naragunda, etc. In the Dakshina Kannada district, the tridents were distributed among Bajrang Dal activists,” a press statement from PFI stated.
“It is appalling to witness that an accused- who had involved in a stabbing case has been conferred a trident. Among them, the programs ruthlessly provoked hate-mongering speeches and fueled the prejudices against the Muslim community, and have delivered the ultimatum of demolition of their religious institutions. There's a spine-chilling fact that there is a conspiracy to create division among religions and create unrest in society. In the meantime, the police have filed a weak case in order to quell the outrage over the incident of a public rally in Belgaum. Despite the video evidence, no strict action has been initiated against the culprits. The police's soft stand towards the Sangh Parivar has encouraged unrest among the public. It is becoming crystal clear that the BJP government led by Chief Minister Bommai, who defended the Sangh Parivar, has backed the police department the responsibility of protection of the accused,” the statement added while questioning the role of the police department in maintaining law and order situation in the state.
“Amid all these dangerous developments, the recent atrocities against the Muslim community in the state are terrifying. The brutal murder of a youth named Arbaaz in Belagavi, deadly assault on a student in Ilkal taluk of Bagalkot, threats to demolish historic Masjids in Gadag, etc are transforming into daily norms. Hate speeches delivered by the leaders of Sangh Pariwar, criticism of Prophet, etc; in addition to all the dangerous developments- the lawmakers are supporting them either directly or indirectly. Finally, the Sangh Parivar has garnished their ideology by distributing the swords, cudgels, and other deadly weapons among their activists during the Shobha Yatra!!” it further added.
“It is illegal to perform a demonstration of weapons in public places. The police department should have considered such malicious programs that create fear among the minorities, particularly in the Muslim community. It's insane to veil the incidents by filing weak cases against culprits. The organizers of the event and the activists must be held guilty for their acts. The Chief Minister of the State should intervene and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the near future. Else, 'Popular Front of India' will revolt ferociously throughout the state,” PFI state secretary AK Ashraf said during the press conference.
Ilyas Muhammad, Zonal President, Popular Front of India, Bangalore, and Abdul Razak Kemmara, State Leader, Popular Front of India, Karnataka were also present during the press conference.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
