“Won’t bow down”: DK Shivakumar’s reply to protesters shouting ‘go back’ slogan at event
Davangere: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said he would not be shaken by protests after some youths raised “Go Back” slogans during a public event, asserting that he stands firmly by his principles.
He was speaking at the 287th birth anniversary celebration of Sant Sevalal held at Bhayagad-Soragondanakoppa in Nyamathi taluk of Davangere district on Saturday.
Referring to the Banjara community, Shivakumar said that it was the Congress government that stood by the community during times of injustice. He recalled that during K.T. Rathod’s tenure, the Banjara community was included in the Scheduled Caste category and the Tanda Development Corporation was established to improve their living conditions.
“We are gathered here to celebrate Sant Sevalal, who spread the message of truth, integrity, social justice, harmony and equality. Religion must have compassion. Without compassion, what is religion?” he said, recalling Basavanna’s teachings on kindness and equality.
He added that people are not born by choosing their caste and stressed the importance of human values above divisions. “This is a land of great social reformers like Sant Sevalal. Every community has its own cultural and religious identity. Our government has been working for the welfare of all communities,” he said.
Shivakumar said that during the government’s 1,000-day programme in Haveri, the Congress had reaffirmed its commitment to the people, including the Lambani community. “I have come here with affection for the Lambani people who have supported me,” he said.
Responding to the “Go Back” slogans, Shivakumar said, “Some youths have shouted ‘Go Back’ with affection. I have accepted it with love. But leaders on the stage invited me saying ‘Come Back’, and that is why I am here.”
He added, “A hundred people may shout. But D.K. Shivakumar is not someone who will bow down to a hundred voices. Thousands here know my principles and commitment. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has said that one who forgets history cannot create history.”
He said politics should not mix with religion. “There should be values in politics, but politics should not enter religion. When I contested from Kanakapura, I was elected with a margin of 1.23 lakh votes. The Lambani community, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes supported me wholeheartedly,” he said.
Shivakumar also advised that protests must be carried out in an appropriate manner and at the right forum.
He said raising slogans during a religious programme serves no purpose. “Even if some say ‘Go Back’, I will not be shaken. More people are saying ‘Come Back’ than ‘Go Back’,” he said.
Later, responding to media questions about BJP protests, he said the Congress government had ensured justice for all communities and introduced the 6-6-5 formula in the matter of internal reservation. “The BJP is unable to tolerate this. They are instigating around a hundred people out of fear of losing relevance,” he alleged.
He maintained that 90 per cent of the Lambani community supports the government and is focused on development, while a small section is engaging in politics. “It was the Congress that granted SC status to the Banjara community and set up the development corporation. We gave land rights to tandas. We will always stand with good people,” he said.
During the programme, a section of protesters displayed black cloths alleging injustice to the Lambani community in the implementation of internal reservation.
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Baramati plane crash: CID questions VSR Ventures owner
Pune (PTI): The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department on Thursday questioned V K Singh, owner of VSR Ventures, which operated the aircraft involved in the Baramati crash that killed deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, a CID officer said.
“The statement of V K Singh is being recorded,” said the CID officer, without disclosing more details about the questioning, which was still underway.
A Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures, crashed near the Baramati air strip in Pune district on January 28, killing Pawar and four others.
After the plane crash, an accidental death report was registered at the Baramati Taluka police station, and the case was later transferred to the Pune CID. Earlier, the state agency had said that its focus was to ascertain if sabotage or criminal negligence led to the Baramati tragedy.
Days before V K Singh's questioning, the CID had sent a set of questions to VSR Ventures in connection with its investigation into the plane crash, according to a source.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had alleged on Wednesday that someone was trying to save VSR Ventures, and claimed that a preliminary probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) vindicated the doubts earlier raised by him.
In its 22-page preliminary report on the air tragedy, the AAIB said the visibility at the time of the crash was below the required level. It also flagged fading marks on the runway and the presence of loose gravel on the runway surface.
A few days ago, Ajit Pawar’s son Jay Pawar had shared a purported video on social media alleging that V K Singh's son Rohit Singh was seen dozing off in the chief pilot’s seat during a flight, and demanded his immediate arrest.
He had also demanded that all aircraft of VSR Ventures be grounded till the inquiry into his father’s plane crash is completed.
