Prathibha Kulai expresses concern over the use of Bhajana programs for political purposes
Surathkal: Congress spokesperson Prathibha Kulai has raised concerns over the increasing commercialisation of religious Bhajana programs, highlighting their recent use for political purposes. This statement follows a controversial remark made by Panja Subdivision Forest Officer Sanjeev Poojari regarding women from the Billava community, which has caused widespread outrage.
Speaking at a press conference in Surathkal on Saturday, she stated that Sanjeev Poojary, instead of protecting the forest, has targeted girls of a particular community and insulted women as a whole. She mentioned that he claimed to have evidence while justifying his statements. Therefore, she urged the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner to arrest him, conduct a thorough investigation, and present the evidence to the public.
Prathibha Kulai further alleged that in recent times, Bhajana programs, traditionally held in temples and Bhajana mandirs as part of religious devotion, have been misused for political gain. She accused political factions of exploiting underprivileged women for these purposes.
Pratibha Kulai has alleged that recent bhajan programs, which were once held in temples and bhajan mandirs with devotion, are now being politicized, using backward class girls for the purpose. She pointed out that while upper-caste girls are given respectful platforms at events, backward and Dalit girls are made to dance on the streets. Although bhajans are part of Hindu religious culture, dancing to bhajans on the streets is wrong and unrepresentative of Indian culture, she stated.
She questioned the so-called protectors of Hinduism, who claim that "we are all Hindus and united," but fail to seat all castes together and allow them to dine at temples. She also asked why caste is still used to deny temple entry to certain communities, and why the idea of unity is forgotten in such situations. Kulai challenged Hindutva leaders, asking if they would send their own daughters to dance to bhajans on the streets. She urged parents of girls to reflect on this issue.
She further accused political forces of dragging culture and religion onto the streets, stating that earlier they did politics by killing people and that now women and girls are being used as political tools. She demanded that religious leaders, spiritual gurus, and self-proclaimed Hindu leaders clarify whether using girls for street bhajans is justified.
Cabaret dance at Mangaluru Dasara procession
Kulai also condemned the inclusion of a cabaret dance during the Mangaluru Dasara procession, where women performed in inappropriate attire in a program meant to be religious. She expressed anger, stating that such acts humiliate women and dishonour the spirit of the festival. She strongly condemned the act as disrespectful in the presence of the deity.
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Shivamogga tense after boy murdered outside school
Shivamogga (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was murdered outside a government school in Sulaebailu here, sparking tension in the area, police said on Tuesday.
Following the incident, a large police force was deployed in the city.
The incident occurred after Sanketh (16), an SSLC student of the Government High School at Uragadooru, attended a special class ahead of examinations.
Superintendent of Police Nikhil B told reporters that Sanketh intervened in an argument involving a group of boys outside his school.
“Some friends who were known to him — they had earlier studied in the same school — were involved. They are also minors. They hit him with their hands. Immediately after being struck, he collapsed. After he fell, by the time he was taken to the hospital, we came to know that he had died,”
"... he was struck near the chest. Due to that blow, he collapsed on the spot,” the SP said.
Two minors have been taken into custody in this connection.
“We are also gathering information about others involved in the incident. Whoever is found to be involved, we will initiate legal action against them as well,” the official added.
On the possible motive, the SP said the exact cause is yet to be ascertained.
“We do not have complete information about that. Once we conduct a detailed inquiry, we will know. Some people are saying it may have been over a trivial matter. However, we cannot confirm that at this stage,” he said.
The incident took on a communal undertone, prompting authorities to deploy heavy police reinforcements across the city to maintain order and prevent escalation.
BJP MLA from Shivamogga, S N Channabasappa, also visited the hospital.
