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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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
