Prakash Raj condemns assault on YouTubers in Dharmasthala, demands accountability
Mangaluru: Renowned actor and activist Prakash Raj has strongly condemned the assault on four YouTubers in Dharmasthala.
In a video message shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Prakash Raj spoke out against the violence, saying in Kannada: "The attack on media friends who were performing their duty in Dharmasthala is condemnable. It is because of such goons that Dharmasthala, a place of faith for devotees, is getting tainted. Why are they angry when justice is being sought? Please arrest them and bring out the truth."
ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಮಿತ್ರರ ಮೇಲಿನ ಹಲ್ಲೆ ಖಂಡನಾರ್ಹ.. ಇಂತಹ ಗೂಂಡಾಗಳಿದಲೇ ಭಕ್ತಾದಿಗಳು ನಂಬುವ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಕಳಂಕ ಬಂದಿರುವುದು.. ಸೌಜನ್ಯಾಳ ದಾರುಣ ಹತ್ಯೆಗೆ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಕೇಳಿದರೆ ಇವರಿಗೇಕೆ ಕೋಪ.. ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಬಂಧಿಸಿ ಸತ್ಯ ಹೊರತನ್ನಿ #justasking #DharmasthalaHorror #justiceforsoujanya pic.twitter.com/LwOxL3UZkG
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) August 6, 2025
The actor's remarks come in the wake of a disturbing incident on Wednesday, when four YouTubers, Ajay Anchan, Abhishek, Vijay, and another person, were allegedly attacked by unidentified miscreants while reporting in Dharmasthala.
According to reports, the group was on location for media coverage when they were confronted and physically assaulted. The assailants reportedly fled the scene soon after, and the victims were later admitted to a private hospital in Ujire for treatment.
Local police reached the spot following the incident and have deployed additional security. An investigation has been launched to identify those involved.
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Congress committed to social justice, says Karnataka CM; hits out at JD(S), BJP
BJP Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday asserted that the Congress remains firmly committed to social justice, both in principle and practice.
"The Congress is a party committed to social justice. This ideological commitment has been demonstrated not merely through words but through action," the CM said in a statement, underlining that the party has consistently translated its philosophy into governance.
He said his recent article marking Social Justice Day has sparked debate.
Defending the piece, he said: "An article I wrote for a newspaper as part of Social Justice Day celebrations has sparked multifaceted debate in the state’s political circles. If water remains stagnant, it turns into slush; if it flows, it becomes clearer."
"The social system is similar—if it does not remain rigid and instead becomes dynamic, it transforms in a people-centric manner. From this perspective, I welcome the discussion surrounding my article," he added.
Stating that his commitment to social justice is longstanding, the CM said, "Whether in power or out of it, my stand in favour of social justice has remained unwavering. I have greater clarity about the caste system among us than the politicians criticising me."
"I am prepared for a public debate on this issue," Siddaramaiah added.
Responding to criticism from Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy, he said, "I have taken his allegation—that I have ‘dragged caste into the picture for the sake of a chair’—lightly."
Launching a sharp attack on JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and his family, Siddaramaiah added, "Kumaraswamy and his revered father Deve Gowda are certainly not casteists; they are against their own caste. More importantly, they are family-centric. For them, caste is merely a vote bank."
He alleged that past, present, and future top JD(S) leaders would always be members of the Gowda family, questioning how many Vokkaliga leaders the party had nurtured during Deve Gowda’s long political career.
The CM maintained that it was the Congress that had identified and politically groomed Vokkaliga leaders.
"From Kengal Hanumanthaiah to S M Krishna, hundreds of Vokkaliga leaders have been nurtured. If Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Kadidal Manjappa, and S M Krishna became chief ministers, it was because of the Congress," he said, adding that several prominent Vokkaliga leaders are currently in the party.
"If one day anyone other than a member of Deve Gowda’s family becomes chief minister, it will be through the Congress," he noted.
Highlighting inclusivity, Siddaramaiah said the Congress has enabled leaders from Vokkaliga, Lingayat, and backward communities to become chief ministers in Karnataka, and expressed gratitude to party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for giving him a second term.
He added that leaders from the Dalit community who rise to the CM's post do so on merit, not merely caste. "I can confidently say that if someone from the Dalit community becomes chief minister in the future, it will be possible only through the Congress,” he reiterated.
He questioned whether the JD(S) or the BJP in the state is capable of fostering such aspirations. "This is the difference between the Congress, the BJP and JD(S). Therefore, I urge those accusing me of practising caste politics to introspect," the CM said.
