CM Siddaramaiah slams BJP-RSS, says they have never believed in social justice
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a sharp attack on the BJP and RSS, stating that they have never believed in social justice. Speaking to reporters at Tubinakere helipad in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, he alleged that the Sangh Parivar has opposed every step taken for social justice over the past century, starting from the Miller Commission during Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar's era.
"The RSS, completing 100 years in 2025, has never supported reservations," Siddaramaiah said, accusing them of consistently opposing affirmative action.
Addressing the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru, the Chief Minister confirmed that police have been directed to arrest the culprits and take strict legal action. He emphasised the sanctity of human life and said he has instructed the ADGP (Law and Order) to visit the crime scene and conduct a thorough investigation.
When questioned about BJP leaders visiting the murder site, Siddaramaiah said the party often uses such incidents for political mileage. He pointed out that BJP remained silent on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 people were killed, and questioned why Prime Minister Modi did not visit the site.
Calling the Pahalgam incident a serious security lapse, the CM noted that not a single police or security personnel was deployed in the high-tourist area, which raises alarming concerns.
In response to a query on threats received by Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, Siddaramaiah revealed that he too has received similar threats and has directed police to investigate and act.
Reiterating the Congress Party’s long-standing demand, Siddaramaiah stressed the need for a comprehensive caste census, including socio-economic and educational indicators. He credited Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge for pressuring the Centre to agree to a caste-based census.
He urged the government to announce a timeline for the survey and implement the recommendations of the Justice Rohini Commission. Furthermore, Siddaramaiah advocated for amending the Constitution to increase the 50% reservation cap and extend quotas to the private sector.
“Reservation is essential and unavoidable for the socially, economically, and educationally backward sections,” he asserted. “A truly egalitarian society is possible only when every citizen becomes socially and economically empowered.”
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
