“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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PM Modi inaugurates projects worth Rs 15,200 cr in New Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 15,200 crore under the the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) redevelopment plan.
The prime minister, accompanied by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, visited GPRA Type-5 quarters in Sarojini Nagar and handed over the keys to female allottees. He also interacted with some women labourers.
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Spread across key locations such as Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar and Sriniwaspuri, these projects are part of the government's ambitious programme to modernise GPRA colonies and create world-class infrastructure for government employees and administrative offices, according to a statement issued on Friday.
The projects have been redeveloped through an innovative self-sustainable financial model that ensures that redevelopment is carried out without burdening the public exchequer.
Under this model, the government is developing and monetising a limited portion of the project area for commercial and residential space to finance the entire project.
The revenue generated from it is being used to fund the redevelopment of modern government housing, support infrastructure and public facilities.
The redevelopment plan will provide more than 9,350 modern flats for government employees, along with the creation of approximately 48 lakh square feet of office space, which will significantly enhance administrative efficiency, while also generating monetisation potential.
