Disqualified MLAs can contest from BJP: Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda
Udupi: Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Saturday asserted that the BJP began with its preparations for by-elections from the very first day of forming government in the state and that it is prepared for the October 21 polls.
Speaking to reporters in Udupi on Saturday, former Karnataka CM Gowda added that the party will decide on the disqualified MLAs.
"We have to wait for the SC to pronounce the order. It's a matter of one day, in a single hearing judgement will most probably come out. The MLAs then will have to join the BJP to contest the by-elections on party ticket" Gowda said.
Speaking about JD(s) MLA Shivalinga Gowda's remarks that Siddaramaiah should once again become the CM of the state, Sadananda Gowda said "People in JD(s) and Congress will do anything for power. To get some position, he might have said it. Siddaramaiah himself is also aspiring for the CM's seat, he is going to all the parties to put forth his case. But there is no entry for him in the BJP".
Commenting in DK Shivakumar, who has been arrested by the ED in alleged money laundering case Gowda added that it was wrong to comment on it as the investigation was still under process. Gowda however added that whoever has done wrong should be punished irrespective of their party. "If anyone from our party also does something wrong, he will be punished under law," he added.
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Maharashtra village goes ‘caste-free’, penalties for abuse, 2-hour student “no-phone” period
New Delhi: A village in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district made an effort to redefine social boundaries through a unanimous gram sabha resolution, with residents of Soundala publicly declaring the village "caste-free" earlier this month.
According to a report published by The Print, during a specially convened gram sabha, a resolution was passed on February 5, which calls for the removal of caste-based distinctions from public and social life. It urges residents to interact only on the basis of shared humanity. It also prohibits inquiries into caste identity and affirms equal access to public spaces, religious places, water sources, schools and government services.
Soundala is located about 350 km from Mumbai. It has a population of around 2,500 across nearly 450 families. Majority of the families belong to upper castes while a significant Dalit population, alongside a small number of Muslim and Christian families also live in the village. While overt discrimination had been declining over the years, residents say the resolution gives formal expression to changes that were gradually taking root.
The initiative was led by village sarpanch Sharad Argade. The Print quoted him as saying that the move was initiated because of rising caste and communal tensions in neighbouring areas of the state and he feared that social divisions seen elsewhere could harden in his own village if left unaddressed.
According to Argade, the idea of declaring Soundala caste-free was discussed over time, influenced by social worker Pramod Zinjade and shaped by his family’s long involvement in local politics. Argade’s wife Priyanka, a former sarpanch, is credited by villagers with playing a key role in challenging social norms through her outreach work, which included visiting homes across caste lines.
The resolution states that Soundala will not differentiate on the basis of caste, religion, creed or colour, and adopts the motto “My caste is humanity." The resolution also warns against social or economic boycotts, communal statements and the circulation of inflammatory content on social media, with provisions for penalties.
After the resolution villagers are sharing food in festivals, visiting each other's houses, and attending community events together. Older residents recall a time when Dalits were forced to sit separately at weddings, use different wells, and stay away from upper-caste houses. Members of the Muslim community also spoke of earlier experiences of exclusion that discouraged social interaction.
Soundala has also introduced penalties for verbal abuse, discouraged discriminatory practices against widows and extended financial support for widow remarriage. The gram panchayat also provides educational support to girls up to Class 12 and enforces a daily two-hour “no mobile phone” period for students to encourage study.
Two months before the caste-free resolution, the village had also adopted a practice of playing the national anthem each morning over a loudspeaker. Argade said it was intended to reinforce a shared civic identity.
Acknowledging that caste remains relevant in government policy, particularly in reservation for education and employment, the sarpanch was quoted by The Print as saying that the aim was to confine caste to official records and remove it from daily behaviour.
