M'luru: VHP, Bajrang Dal observe bandh in Kodikal to protest damaging of snake deity by miscreants
Mangaluru: On Monday, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal jointly undertook a protest condemning the incident of miscreants allegedly having harmed a Nagabana (snake deity) in Kodikal recently.
The movement of buses was halted and shops were closed. The leaders of the organization have informed that the protest would carry on till evening. Under the leadership of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, various organizations including Bajrang Dal had called for a bandh, it is learned.
Sharan Pumpwell who addressed the protesters said, “We have requested the police officers to kill individuals who indulge in such actions through encounters. Chief Minister must pay attention to the coast. The Hindutva here voted them to power”, he expressed his outrage.
Gurupura Vajradehi Mat’s Rajashekharananda Swamiji participated in the protest gathering and delivered a speech.
After the protest meeting conducted at the Kodikal Katte Ground, a procession was taken out and a public prayer gathering was conducted at the Nagabana.
Warning to impose District-Wide Bandh issued if no arrests are made in 24 days
“When a similar incident occurred in Kulur, we had given a 24 hours duration. Concerning the case there, they have arrested a madman and are working to prove that he is the one who did it. Then, we had asked the police to prove that he was the one who had done that act. That did not happen. Now another such incident has occurred. Police are displaying a helpless attitude. They are insisting that no traces can be found. In the past, your officers had solved cases without a trace and secured the Presidents, Governors Awards. Therefore, we demand that you investigate this and secure our religious award. We believe that they will. If the situation continues to be like this, the Hindu community may display their rage in the future. Then, we won’t be held responsible for that. A scheme is underway to create communal riots. The miscreants must be arrested within 24 days. If not, the Mangaluru district may have to experience a bandh”.
-Rajashekharanand Swamiji, Vajradehi Mat, Gurupura
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BJP accuses Karnataka govt of 'failing' to prevent noise pollution caused by 'azaan'
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Members of the Opposition BJP on Tuesday slammed the Karnataka government for not taking measures to prevent the alleged noise pollution caused by 'azaan', the Islamic call to prayer.
BJP MLC D S Arun raised the issue in the Legislative Council during the question hour, accusing the ruling Congress of "appeasement" by failing to take action against mosques that are violating the Supreme Court's directives.
Karnataka Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, responding to the question, said, as per the directives of the Supreme Court in sensitive zones, the noise level should not exceed 50 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night, and in residential areas, 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
In commercial areas, the noise should not exceed 65 decibels during the day, 55 at night, and in industrial areas, 75 during the day and at night 70 decibels, he said.
Pointing out that the Karnataka government had issued an order in 2022, assigning responsibility to a committee headed by a DySPs or ACPs for the effective implementation of the rules, the minister said when a complaint is received about noise pollution, the Pollution Control Board will inspect it and provide information about the decibel level to the police to take further action, including filing of criminal cases.
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"Not only during azaan, but also during bhajans held in temples and marriage events, among others, the violations happen. There is a need to spread awareness. The Supreme Court has ordered against bursting firecrackers, but it is being violated. Efforts will be made to implement the rules effectively," he said.
Several BJP MLAs, including Arun, Bharathi Shetty, among others, were not satisfied with the minister's reply. They took strong exception to it.
Arun noted that in the last three years, only 52 cases have been taken, and said there are clear violations by almost all mosques, but no action has been taken. "The decibels have in fact increased under this government. The government is giving protection to them."
Reacting to this, Khandre, calling it a "sensitive matter", said, "It is not right to politicise the issue. The law of this land is equal for everyone."
Hitting back, Arun asked, "Why is the matter sensitive? What is preventing you (the government) from implementing the Supreme Court directives?"
