Mangaluru: Neglecting voting is insult of Constitution, says District Judge Mallikarjuna HS
Mangaluru: Voting is not just a right but a duty, and neglecting it is an act of disrespect towards the Constitution, said District and Sessions Court Judge Mallikarjuna HS. He was speaking at the 15th National Voters’ Day programme organized by the Dakshina Kannada District Administration and the District Legal Services Authority at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall in Mangaluru on Saturday.
The judge highlighted that India had around 98 crore registered voters for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the number has now crossed the 100-crore mark. However, he pointed out that the voter turnout last year was only 66 percent, meaning nearly 30 crore eligible voters skipped the elections. While around three crore people could not vote due to unavoidable reasons, the remaining 30 crore abstentions reflect a disregard for the Constitution, he remarked.
Despite this, he appreciated the efforts of district officials in ensuring a good voter turnout in every election. Urging young voters to take the initiative, he said it is the responsibility of the youth to ensure voter turnout crosses 90 percent in the next elections. They must spread awareness among their friends, classmates, and neighbors about the importance of voting.
Judge Mallikarjuna also explained the significance of National Voters’ Day, which was first observed in 2011. Though the Indian Constitution came into effect in 1950, authorities later noticed that despite rising literacy levels, voter awareness was declining. This led to the launch of National Voters’ Day in 2011 to encourage greater participation in elections, he said.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anand, the chief guest at the event, administered the oath of voting to citizens. Eligible voters were handed representational voter ID cards, and officials who had made significant contributions during the last elections were felicitated.
The event was presided over by Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Mullai Muhilan. Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. G Santhosh Kumar and senior officer Khader Shah were also present. The event was compered by Manjula Shetty.
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Argument over bike accident leads to murder, triggers mob violence, arson in Ahmedabad; 2 held
Ahmedabad (PTI): A man was killed in a violent altercation triggered by a motorcycle accident in Dhandhuka in Gujarat's Ahmedabad district on Saturday, after which several shops were set on fire, a police official said.
Two men from different communities clashed this afternoon after their motorcycles collided, which intensified when members of one group went to the house of the other individual involved in the accident, he said.
"During the confrontation, Dharmesh Gamara (30) was stabbed in the leg with a knife. He later died due to excessive bleeding. Following his death, tensions flared, and a group of people set ablaze seven to eight roadside shops. Several properties were damaged," Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat said.
Videos circulating on social media showed small shops engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising in the area.
Police and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control, Jat told PTI.
"The fires have been doused," he said, adding that house-to-house combing and patrolling were underway in the area to identify those involved in the arson.
Two persons identified as Samir and Rizwan have been arrested for alleged involvement in the killing of Gamara, while 15-20 persons have been detained in connection with the arson, police said.
