Temple board expresses regret after MLA Harish Poonja's hate speech at Brahmakalashotsava in Tekkaru
Belthangady: The administrative board of Sri Gopalakrishna Temple in Tekkaru has issued a letter of regret to local Muslim leaders following widespread outrage over a hate speech delivered by Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja during the temple’s Brahmakalashotsava ceremony.
In a meeting convened between Hindu and Muslim community leaders, the temple board expressed deep regret over the derogatory remarks made by the MLA. The president of the Devara Gudde Seva Trust, Sri Gopalakrishna Bhatrabailu, wrote a letter addressed to the Saralikatte Muslim Okkoota, stating that the board welcomes continued cooperation from the Muslim community and hopes for the restoration of communal harmony in the village.
The incident occurred on the night of May 3 during the Brahmakalashotsava celebrations, where MLA Harish Poonja allegedly made inflammatory comments targeting the local Muslim community. He accused members of the community of vandalising temple lights and stealing diesel, remarks which were captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The speech has been condemned by various quarters for being communal and inciting hatred. An FIR has also been registered at Uppinangady Police Station in connection with the incident.
Muslim representatives had earlier submitted a letter to the temple board seeking clarification on the MLA's speech. In response, a joint meeting was held, during which the board acknowledged the community’s contributions and extended an apology.
It was brought to the notice of the board that the Muslim residents of Tekkaru had actively supported the temple festival in various ways. Munir donated a tree for use in the event, Abbas provided land for building the stage, and vehicle parking was arranged on land owned by the children of T.H. Ustad. Additionally, Muslim families offered their properties for water supply and food distribution, and even contributed financially. Local Muslims had also displayed banners wishing success for the event.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
