BJP is not a threat to Christians: George Kurian
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Aizawal(PTI): Union Minister George Kurian on Wednesday said that the BJP is not a threat to Christians.
Addressing a rally at Darlung village in north-western Mizoram's Mamit district, Kurian said the BJP is not inimical to Christianity and there is nothing to fear about the party for Christians.
Kurian said that he was baffled by the alleged teaching in the Christian-dominated Mizoram to fear the saffron party.
"I have joined the BJP since its inception in 1980. I am from Kerala, and I am a true and good Christian devotee. I have never come across difficulties for being a BJP member due to my faith. Therefore, teaching people to fear the BJP is only a political game," Kurian said.
"There is no contradiction for a Christian to associate with the BJP," he added..
Kurian, the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying portfolios, said Dampa must link with Delhi to usher in development in the area.
He said that the BJP government at the Centre will bring several developments, including road connectivity and agricultural link roads, if the BJP candidate is elected in the upcoming bypoll..
Kurian also blamed the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government headed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma for allegedly neglecting the Dampa constituency..
"While I was heading to Darlung, I travelled on a very narrow and bad road. I have witnessed how the state government neglected your area. This is very unfortunate," he said..
Citing that the NDA government's top priority is development, Kurian said Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gave due importance to Mizoram's growth and a Rs 8,000 crore railway line project was opened by the PM in September to improve connectivity between Mizoram and the rest of the country..
The Union Minister also visited other villages within Dampa constituency, and he will leave for Delhi on Thursday, BJP sources said..
Five candidates are in the fray for the Dampa bypoll, which was necessitated by the death of incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21.
The ruling ZPM has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, the main opposition MNF nominated party senior vice president and former health minister Dr R Lalthangliana and Congress fielded party vice president and former transport minister John Rotluangliana.
The BJP nominated Lalhmingthanga, while former chief minister Brig T Sailo's party (People's Conference) fielded its vice president K. Zahmingthanga.
A total of 21,003 voters, including 115 service voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the upcoming bypoll..
Polling will be held on November 11, and counting of votes will take place on November 14.
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Dalit officer alleges harassment by senior officials in Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate
Bengaluru: An Inspector of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has alleged that Dalit officers are facing harassment from senior officials within the department that is meant to handle cases of atrocities against SC/ST communities.
Inspector T.R. Srinivas has made the allegations in a letter addressed to DCRE Director General of Police Umesh Kumar, which he has also shared with the media. He has also released a video reiterating the claims.
In the video, Srinivas has named DCRE SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda, alleging that he was pressured to act in favour of upper-caste accused in certain cases. He further claimed that false complaints were accepted against him and he was harassed in the name of inquiry.
Srinivas also alleged that he was not officially relieved from duty in DCRE, but that SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda created “fake documents” showing that he had been relieved, which he said was in violation of an order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT).
He said he had served for 20 years without any adverse remarks, but is now being targeted. “Working for Dalits and serving in the police department itself seems to have become a mistake,” he said, adding that Dalit officers are not receiving protection in the state.
He also alleged lack of transparency in the department and claimed that decisions are being dominated by upper-caste officials. In the video, he appealed to the government to intervene and prevent any untoward incident, warning that if the situation continues, responsibility would lie with the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the DGP.
Srinivas had been transferred from the DCRE last month, but had obtained a stay on the transfer from the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal.
Meanwhile, DCRE SP Karibasangouda has denied the allegations made by Srinivas.
