Noted photographer Keshav Vitla dies
Mangaluru: Famous photographer Keshav Vitla passed away at a hospital in Mangaluru on Monday. He was 56.
Keshav was suffering from kidney-related problems over the past few years. He was born in 1961 in the rural area of Vitlal and started his career as a photojournalist in 1984 through the 'Mungaru' magazine. Since 1996, he served for Indian Express press as a photojournalist in Bengaluru. He then provided photographs to The Telegraph and Hindustan Times as a freelancer.
Keshava Vitla, who presented a new world by camera eyes, has captured the new insights of Karnataka through 'Facts of Karnataka - A Pictorial Journey'. The State Tourism Department has published this volume.
Keshava was conferred with The Best Photojournalist Award by Karnataka Working Journalists Association, Bangalore Press Club’ Lifetime Achievement Award, DK District’s Rajyotsava Award, Baliyendra Puraskara, and Tulu Nadu Siri Award winner. Besides he had organized several solo photography exhibitions as well.
Keshava Vitla, who suffered from kidney problems recently, was undergoing dialysis. He was admitted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru for treatment where he died today early morning.
The funeral of the deceased will be held at 2 pm today at Vitla Bobbekeri.
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.
SC refuses to entertain PIL for action against inflammatory speeches
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL that sought urgent intervention against inflammatory speeches by public figures, alleging these statements endanger national unity, security and promote divisive ideologies.
Observing that there was a difference between hate speeches and wrong assertions, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar told the counsel for PIL petitioner ‘Hindu Sena Samiti’ that it was not inclined to issue notice on the petition.
"We are not inclined to entertain the present writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, which in fact refers to alleged references. Further, there is a difference between hate speech and wrong assertions…In case the petitioner has any grievance, they may raise the same in accordance with law,” the bench said.
The bench said it was not making observations on the merits of the case.
The PIL had urged the court to direct the formulation of guidelines to prevent provocative rhetoric and to mandate penal action against individuals making statements that could jeopardise public order and the nation’s sovereignty.
Advocates Kunwar Aditya Singh and Swatantra Rai, appearing for the petitioner, said the political leaders’ remarks often veer towards incitement, potentially sparking public unrest.
They cited recent comments by the political figures, including former Madhya Pradesh Minister Sajjan Singh Verma and Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, as instances where rhetoric had allegedly threatened public order.
In his remarks, Verma had allegedly warned of a potential popular uprising, drawing comparisons to the protests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while Tikait allegedly referenced the farmers' protests in a manner that suggested the possibility of violent insurrection.
The petition said the government has been inconsistent in enforcing legal restrictions on inflammatory speech.
It said the court, in its directions, had mandated prompt action against speech inciting unrest under some of the provisions of the IPC.
The 'Hindu Sena Samiti' had sought multiple reliefs, including the formulation of guidelines to regulate provocative speeches, penal action against violators and a directive for mandatory training programmes for politicians.
It also emphasised the importance of equal legal treatment, arguing that similar offences by civilians and journalists often see stringent actions from the state, while statements by political figures inciting unrest go largely unchecked.
