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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21-year-old IIT Delhi student hangs self in hostel room
New Delhi, Oct 23: A 21-year-old IIT Delhi student allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room, police said on Wednesday.
They said they have found no suicide note from the room but Kumar Yash, an M.Sc second year student from Jharkhand's Deoghar, was under psychiatric treatment and had visited the IIT Hospital on Tuesday as well.
"On Tuesday, at about 11 pm, a PCR call regarding a suicide by an IIT student in Aravali Hostel Room Number -- D57 -- was received. A staff was sent to the location immediately. The room was closed from inside but his friend and IIT staff broke the window to enter his room," a senior police officer said.
Kumar was found hanging using two towels. His friend and the institute's staff cut the towels and brought him down, said the officer.
"Kumar was taken to the Safdarjung Hospital in an IIT ambulance. He was declared brought dead by the doctors there. The body has been preserved in the mortuary. Family members of the deceased have been informed. The hostel room where deceased committed suicide has been inspected by a mobile crime team," he added.
According to the police, no suicide note was found there but as per Kumar's medical health report card, he was under psychiatric treatment and had visited the IIT Hospital on Tuesday as well.
"He was given treatment and has had an appointment with a psychiatrist on October 29. Statements of his friends have been recorded. No foul play has been suspected in this matter," said the officer, adding further inquest proceedings are underway.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Surendra Choudhary said teams are procuring talking to the student's family members to get more details about him.
"We have already informed the family members of the victim and they will be in Delhi soon. We are procuring more details to know that what triggered him to take such extreme step. Our teams are also recording statements of his classmates," he said.
Teams will also check CCTV footage of the hostel to know that what time he went to the doctor and returned. We are investigating the entire case from every single aspects, the DCP said.
Meanwhile, IIT Delhi, in a statement, said that the institute is deeply saddened by the unfortunate and untimely demise of a second-year student of M.Sc. Cognitive Science, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Delhi Police is investigating the unfortunate incident that took place on the campus. We express our deepest condolences to the student's family and friends. The institute is doing everything it can to support his family in this hour of grief, read the statement.
IIT Delhi is fully committed to ensuring the mental and physical well-being of its students," a spokesperson of the institute said.
