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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50-year-old mosque demolished in Faridabad amid legal dispute, locals allege targeting
Faridabad: The demolition of a decades-old mosque in Haryana’s Faridabad has sparked outrage and sorrow among local residents, who claim the move was both hasty and politically motivated.
The Aqsa Masjid, located in Badkhal village, was razed on Monday by the municipal corporation, despite the case being under active consideration by the Supreme Court. The demolition was carried out under heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police.
“This is not just a building—it’s our history, our faith,” said Mushtaq, a long-time resident of the area. “The Supreme Court had yet to give its verdict. Why rush to destroy it now? First, they came for the shops. Now, the mosque. This feels deliberate.”
According to locals, the mosque stood peacefully for 50 years on land originally donated by a former village sarpanch. The structure, measuring approximately 40 by 80 feet, served as a central place of worship for the Muslim community in the area. For decades, there were no disputes over its legality until recent years, when officials began labeling it as an encroachment.
Municipal officials maintain that the demolition was a legally mandated action. “This mosque was one of several unauthorised constructions on public land,” said a senior municipal officer. “The matter had been examined, and we followed due process under legal directives.”
However, community members refute these claims, insisting that the structure had never been previously challenged in any serious way. They argue that labeling it an encroachment is a recent development and lacks basis given the mosque’s long-standing presence.
The incident comes at a time of heightened communal sensitivity across parts of the country, and rights groups have begun raising questions about the timing and manner of the demolition.
A 50-year-old mosque, Aqsa Masjid, whose case is pending in the Supreme Court, was arbitrarily demolished by the municipal corporation amidst heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police, at Haryana's Faridabad district, sparking public outcry among… pic.twitter.com/i52cEET7yT
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