Kapu: A tragic incident occurred in Udupi district on Wednesday when a tree fell on a moving rickshaw, resulting in the death of a couple near Mazur Masjid near Kapu.

According to sources, heavy rain and wind during the night caused a huge tree on the roadside to fall on the rickshaw that was travelling from Kapu to Shirva. The rickshaw driver, fortunately, escaped unharmed, but the couple travelling in the rickshaw got trapped under the tree and sustained serious injuries, ultimately leading to their demise.

Efforts are underway to evacuate the rickshaw and the passengers stuck under the fallen tree, which has brought road traffic to a halt. The local authorities have reached the spot to oversee the evacuation process.

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Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."

In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."

He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.

The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."

The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."