Udupi, August 15: Residents of Gerukatte in Perampalli in the city staged a protest keeping the body of a dalit youth who died of alleged negligence of the district government hospital authorities, in front of his house on Wednesday.
The victim is identified as Bhaskar (36), son of Narsi and late Gopal of Gerukatte. Bhaskar who was suffering from kidney problem, was got treatment from the hospital two days ago. But the doctor said that his health problem was not serious and treated him. But yesterday, the problem was aggravated and suddenly, he was admitted to the hospital’, said Nagaraj, brother of Bhaskar.
“The doctors said that he was referred to Wenlock hospital of Mangaluru as there was no facility for the treatment at the district hospital. Followed by their advice, they have shifted him to Wenlock hospital. There also, they did not get bed at the ICU and the doctors asked us to take him to a private hospital. Later, he died on the way to Manipal hospital”, he said.
Demand for compensation
Family members and local people led by Ambalpady Umesh of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi staged a protest keeping the body in front of the deceased house, demanding suitable compensation to the family of the victim and required facilities at the Udupi district hospital.
‘The deputy commissioner should conduct an enquiry into the negligence of the district hospital. Such problem should not happen to any others in future. Like Wenlock hospital, all facilities should be provided at the district hospital. This would ensure justice to the death of Bhaskar and poor people would be benefited, said Uday Kumar.
Bhaskar died because he did not get treatment in time at the district hospital. Instead of advising the family members to take him to Manipal hospital, the doctors have asked them to take him to Mangaluru hospital which is far away from Udupi, he said.
This is second death in two years
Family members of the deceased Bhaskar alleged that two years ago, his brother Harish (32), who was suffering from same problem, was also died due to the negligence of the doctors. Now, Bhaskar complained of the same problem, they have tried to get him good treatment and appealed the deputy commissioner on August 14 to ensure suitable treatment.
Within two years, the poor family has lost two members. Among seven children, three members are there and they are living in a thatched hut. The government should immediately disburse the compensation to the poor family, the local people demanded.


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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka expects maturity from its Chief Minister, not impulsive commentary on sensitive global affairs, Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said on Tuesday.
Ashoka's comments came in response to CM Siddaramaiah’s recent post on ‘X’ regarding US-Iran tensions.
“While speaking of peace, it (US) has chosen the path of war,” the CM had said in the post, as he “strongly condemned” the contradiction, and expressed condolences on the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Taking to X, Ashoka said, “Karnataka expects maturity from its Chief Minister, not impulsive commentary on sensitive international matters.”
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“India’s foreign policy is determined in New Delhi with strategic depth and national interest as its guiding principle. It is not shaped or driven by domestic vote-bank compulsions or electoral calculations,” he said.
According to him, responsible leaders exercise restraint when global tensions are escalating.
The BJP leader also drew parallels to past incidents, especially Operation Sindoor, where he claimed Siddaramaiah's remarks "created unnecessary controversy and embarrassment for our State, even being amplified and finding applause in hostile foreign media.”
“And now, once again, instead of statesmanship, we are witnessing knee-jerk reactions rooted in appeasement politics,” he said.
Ashoka further said foreign policy is not a stage for ideological posturing.
“It is about safeguarding India’s sovereignty, maintaining strategic balance, and strengthening our global standing,” he said.
Karnataka deserves leadership that reinforces India’s voice on the world stage, not statements that are conveniently celebrated by those who do not wish our nation well, he added.
Ashoka reminded the Chief Minister that his words carry weight and urged him to "rise above partisan calculations" and uphold the dignity of his office.
