G Parameshwara takes dig at NDA for not inducting from State any BCs/Dalit MP in Cabinet
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister and senior Congress leader G Parameshwara on Monday took a dig at the NDA government for not inducting any MP from backward classes and Dalit communities from the state into the union council of Ministers.
He said it was evident that these communities have been "neglected" in the government formation exercise.
"It looks like they (BJP/NDA) don't want backward classes and Dalit communities. There are several people from such communities who have got elected in the state from that party," Parameshwara told reporters here.
"They could have considered them, but it is left to their discretion. But it is evident that these communities have been neglected," the former president of the party's state unit said.
Five Members of Parliament from Karnataka were part of the council of Ministers of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sworn in on Sunday.
Nirmala Sitharaman (representing Rajya Sabha) and Pralhad Joshi of the BJP and JD(S)' H D Kumaraswamy were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers, while BJP's Shobha Karandlaje was inducted as Minister of State along with V Somanna.
While Sitharaman and Joshi are Brahmins, Kumaraswamy and Karandlaje are from the dominant Vokkaliga community. Somanna hails from another dominant community in the state -- Lingayats.
The NDA got 19 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, with BJP winning 17 and JD(S) two. The ruling Congress in the state has won nine seats.
Congratulating the five MPs who have become Ministers, Parameshwara said there are several State issues pending for resolution before the Central government, like GST share and irrigation projects requiring its nod.
"I'm confident that as the representatives of the state they will take them up on priority and try to resolve them," he said, adding that in case they fail, it is a set back to them and their party. "We will wait and watch....if our issues are not resolved, naturally we will have to blame them."
On whether there were discussions in the ruling Congress in the state about appointing more Deputy CMs on the basis of communities, Parameshwara said: "There is no such thing, no such discussions have happened. Just because someone speaks it cannot be a party issue."
Whatever the party leadership decides is final, he said, adding, if they feel there is a need for such a move, they will decide.
D K Shivakumar from the Vokkaliga community is the only Deputy CM in the Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet now.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
