New Delhi: Balasore BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of behaving inappropriately during a scuffle near the Parliament building on December 19. Sarangi likened Gandhi's actions to those of a "bouncer" and criticised him for not upholding the responsibility of a Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, a position once held by figures like Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking to reporters after being discharged from the hospital on December 28, Sarangi claimed the incident occurred while BJP MPs were peacefully protesting near an entry gate of Parliament, holding placards against the alleged insult to Dr B.R. Ambedkar. According to Sarangi, Gandhi and his party members tried to push their way through the crowd, causing a scuffle.

"Mukesh Rajput ji lost balance and fell on me, causing my head to strike a hard surface, possibly a stone-like object. This resulted in a deep cut that required stitches," Sarangi stated. He also alleged that Gandhi's behaviour was aggressive and unbecoming of his position.

When asked about Gandhi's response, Sarangi acknowledged that the Congress leader briefly approached him after the incident but displayed what he described as a lack of genuine concern. "My recovery is due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath," Sarangi remarked.

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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.

Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.

In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.

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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.

According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.

"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.

The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.