Muslims being projected as enemies through constant campaigns: Prof. Apoorvanand
He was delivering B.V. Kakkilaya inspired oration on “Innards of contemporary social discourse”
Mangaluru: Delhi University Professor Apoorvanand on Saturday said there is a need of a pedagogy of solidarity to counter campaign against Muslims and other minority communities. He was delivering the B.V. Kakkilaya inspired oration on “Innards of contemporary social discourse” here in the city.
Prof. Apoorvanand said a constant campaign was being held to brand Muslims as enemies.
"Muslims earlier were blamed for being backward. Now they are being branded as anti-national and accused of involvement in “business jihad, UPSC jihad, land jihad, and education jihad." He said.
“This jihad is being thrust on us and we are asked to take sides,” he said adding that the minorities were being projected as enemies.
Speaking about the several campaigns including boycotting of movies starring Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, issues like love-jihad, hijab, call to drive Rohingyas out, and voice against namaz in airport and railway platforms that are being run by the fringe elements, Prof. Apoorvanand said "These are the ways in which this bug of hatred is being created, which leads to violence,”
As a counter in this sinister campaign, Prof. Apoorvanand said Hindus should stop getting obsessed with issues concerning Muslims. “Please learn to detach. This indifference alone can save us,” he said.
There should be collective battle to preserve liberty, equality, justice and solidarity, which are the four values enshrined in the Constitution. Former MP late BV Kakkilaya, he said, has shown the possible pedagogy of solidarity. “We can disagree and disperse, but we (communities) should keep talking to each other,” he said.
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Guv Gehlot clears bill paving way for Panchayat elections through ballots
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given his assent to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act that will pave the way for holding the Panchayat elections through ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Following the assent, the Act was notified in the state gazette on Wednesday.
The bill was passed by both houses of the Karnataka legislature in March during the budget session, amid protests by the opposition BJP.
As per the law, the principle of secrecy of the ballot is a cornerstone of free and fair elections, as recognised by the judiciary, which emphasised that the secrecy of the ballot protects voters from coercion, intimidation, and undue influence, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the democratic process in several judgments of the Supreme Court.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the functioning of EVMs, necessitating a return to the robust secret ballot paper system to restore public trust, according to the Act.
Justifying its decision, the Karnataka government said there is “a growing consensus on the need to strengthen electoral mechanisms that prioritise anonymity and transparency”.
