K'taka Deputy CM Shivakumar rubbishes Kumaraswamy's charge on screening porn films in cinema halls
Bengaluru (PTI): Rubbishing JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy's allegations that he screened porn films in cinema halls he once operated, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said he would quit politics if the charges are proved.
Asking the former chief minister to go to Kanakapura Assembly segment personally and check with the people about his involvement in any such activity, the Karnataka Congress chief called Kumaraswamy "a frustrated man".
"I feel pity and sorry for Kumaraswamy. Being such a senior leader....why did he keep such a man (Shivakumar) in his cabinet (of Cong-JDS coalition govt)? Let him go visit my constituency. Let him ask the people of Kanakapura, whether I was showing 'blue films'," Shivakumar said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the people of Kanakapura have elected me by a margin of over 1.23 lakh votes in the assembly elections in May this year, which made "history" in Karnataka.
"He (Kumaraswamy) should go and ask the people of Kanakapura, whether Shivakumar has done such things or not. If he proves or if anyone tells me that I have done such types of illegal activities, I'm ready to quit politics. Ask your own party (JDS) workers, not my party. It is very shameful of Mr Kumaraswamy, for his stature being a former chief minister, he should not speak such things," he said, adding that people will laugh at the JD(S) leader.
Kumaraswamy had recently alleged Shivakumar of leading a life by showing 'blue films' at cinema tents (halls) run by him at Doddaalahalli (Shivakumar's native) and nearby Sathanur in Kanakapura.
"People of the state have elected such people today, and the Congress has given power to such people....it's his culture," Kumaraswamy had said in a broadside against Shivakumar.
Questioning as to why the JD(S) leader or his father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda did not raise the issue when they contested against him in the past, Shivakumar said the theatre owned by him is named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"It was set up in the memory of Indira ji. The theatre (ownership) is in my name. I was running the business and theatre shows. He (Kumaraswamy) is a frustrated man. When his father contested against me, he could have told it (Shivakumar showing blue films) to the public, or when he contested and lost against me, he could have spoken. Even now, there is an opportunity for him, when he comes for campaign. Ask him to come and speak there (in Kanakapura)," he added.
Meanwhile, noting that Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, is coming to the city to discuss certain party issues, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, said all issues including appointment of party legislators and workers to several state-run boards and corporations will figure in the talks.
"All appointments cannot happen at once. It will be done in two to three stages, we will do it," he said on the much-anticipated exercise.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
