Responsibility of majority to protect minorities in democracy: Prakash Raj in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Veteran actor Prakash Raj emphasized the responsibility of the majority to protect the minority in a democracy while inaugurating a convention of citizen-centric Kannada groups organized by the 'Eddelu Karnataka' organization at 'Sahodaya' in Balmatta, Mangaluru on Monday.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Modi for the electoral bonds scam, Prakash Raj criticized the alleged intimidation tactics used by the government against corrupt individuals. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness among the public regarding such issues and urged people to contemplate the implications of buying elected governments with money power.
Sharing his personal experience of an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid, Prakash Raj recounted being questioned for 13 hours without any incriminating evidence being found. He emphasized his commitment to honesty and integrity, stating that he is accountable to the trust placed in him by the people.
“Despite this, I have received a notice from Coimbatore court. I won’t be afraid over such matters. My honesty can’t be questioned. You need to be afraid of nothing if you are truthful and honest. I don’t have to bow my head in shame before my loving family. What matters in not my wealth, but the trust bestowed upon me. I am not the worker of any party, but I am pro-people. And I will always work to strengthen their trust”, he stated.
Reflecting on the BJP's loss in the last elections, Prakash Raj attributed it to the disruption of people's peace and patience. He commended the efforts of 'Eddelu Karnataka' in exposing the alleged anti-people stance of the government and urged them to continue their work in service of the people.
Reinterpreting the legend of Punyakoti for modern times, Prakash Raj urged the audience to embody the spirit of compassion and empathy by helping those in need.
Addressing the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, 'Eddelu Karnataka' State leader K L Ashok expressed confidence in their ability to secure victory. He highlighted the dedication of Prakash Raj and emphasized the importance of their contributions in shaping the election outcomes.
Reflecting on the inception of 'Eddelu Karnataka', 'Ashirvad Training Centre' Director Father Arun Louis highlighted the organization's commitment to humanity and its role in bringing about political change.
Moderator Yasin Shirur emphasized that 'Eddelu Karnataka' is neither a political organization nor a mouthpiece for any party, but rather stands for the welfare of the people.
Various speakers, including political leader P V Mohan and Jamat-e-Islami Hind state leader Muhammad Kunhi, addressed the gathering on different topics related to the region. Former DySP T C M Shareef presided over the event, while D K Lok Sabha candidate Padmaraj Ramaiah sought cooperation from all attendees. Writer M G Heggade and KPCC Secretary Inayath Ali were also present, with Nisar Ahmed moderating the proceedings.
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Among developing states, TN leads with growth of 11.19 per cent, no thanks to BJP: Udhayanidhi
Thanjavur/Pudukottai (PTI): Tamil Nadu currently stands as the number one state among India’s developing regions, boasting a significant growth rate of 11.19 per cent, despite a stark lack of support from the BJP-led union government, Deputy Chief Minister Udhyanidhi Stalin said on Sunday.
"The central administration has failed to provide requested projects or the funds rightfully due to the state. This neglect reached a peak in the last Union Budget, where the name "Tamil Nadu" was entirely absent, with no new projects allocated to the region," Udhayanidhi told the gathered crowd at Peravurani in Thanjavur.
He also accused the central government of "attempting to undermine" the state's cultural identity by re-imposing a 'Three-Language Policy' and pushing Hindi and Sanskrit into the territory.
"While these threats loom, the opposition leader, Edappadi Palaniswami, remains silent. Instead of questioning these injustices, he has formed an alliance with the BJP, effectively facilitating the entry of these policies into Tamil Nadu," the Deputy Chief Minister added.
According to him, the upcoming assembly election presents a critical opportunity for the people to respond to this continuous neglect.
"It is time for the voters to decide whether to support the Tamil Nadu team or a Delhi team that ignores the state’s developmental needs and linguistic heritage," he added.
Earlier, speaking at Viralimalai in Pudukottai, he argued that this election "is a war between the Delhi Team and the Tamil Nadu Team".
"We are the Tamil Nadu Team...we must send Delhi Team back to where they came from with a decisive win," he said.
He urged the electorate to break the "remote control" Delhi uses to try and control Tamil Nadu.
Udhayanidhi attacked the opposition, specifically targeting incumbent MLA and AIADMK candidate C Vijayabaskar by calling him a "drama company actor", who is part of a "slave group" being threatened by the CBI and ED.
The deputy CM listed the infrastructure and welfare achievements of the "Dravidian Model" government, specifically mentioning quality road works worth Rs 25 crore for 30 km and drinking water connections worth Rs 17 crore in the region.
He also claimed that the DMK revived the laptop scheme for college students after the AIADMK abandoned it in 2019.
Looking toward a second term, he promised that the government would increase the women's entitlement amount to Rs 2,000 and build Rs 10 lakh houses under the 'Kalaignar Kanavu Illam' initiative for those without homes.
Invoking his political lineage, he told the local cadre to set a high target, noting that while the party lost the seat by a narrow margin previously, this time DMK must win by a margin of "50,000 votes to drive away the slave group".
