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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Devine’s all-round brilliance trumps Nandini’s hat-trick as GG edge DC by 4 runs
Navi Mumbai (PTI): Nandini Sharma’s maiden hat-trick went in vain as Sophie Devine starred with a breathtaking 95 and a superb final over under pressure to steer Gujarat Giants to a thrilling four-run win off the last ball over Delhi Capitals in a Women’s Premier League match here on Sunday.
This was Gujarat Giants' second win on the trot, while DC slipped to their second loss.
Sent in to bat, Giants opener Devine smashed seven fours and eight sixes in her 42-ball knock, adding 94 runs for the opening wicket with Beth Mooney (19) to set the platform.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner kept the momentum going with a brisk 49 off 26 balls, but Nandini turned the tide with remarkable figures of 5 for 33, including a hat-trick, as Gujarat were bowled out for 209.
Chasing a stiff target, opener Lizelle Lee struck a scintillating 86 off 54 balls, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. She put on 41 runs with Shafali Verma (14) before adding 90 off 55 balls with Laura Wolvaardt (77 off 38) to keep Delhi firmly in the hunt.
Once Lee was dismissed by Kashvee Gautam (1/48) in the 15th over, Rajeshwari Gayakwad removed Chinelle Henry (7) to leave Delhi at 146 for three.
Needing 64 off the last 25 balls, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) joined Wolvaardt as the pair plundered 58 runs in 23 balls to bring the equation down to seven off the final five deliveries.
Devine then returned to the spotlight, dismissing both batters and conceding just two runs in the final over to seal a dramatic win.
Earlier, Devine set the tone early, striking three fours off Chinelle Henry before taking Nandini apart with two fours and a six in the fourth over. She was particularly severe on Sneh Rana, hammering two fours and four successive sixes in an over that yielded 32 runs and powered Gujarat Giants to 80 without loss in the powerplay.
The New Zealander brought up her half-century in just 25 balls before Shree Charani broke the opening stand with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort in the ninth over to remove Mooney. Devine briefly regained control, hitting Charani for three sixes, but fell in the 11th over bowled by Nandini Sharma.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner kept Gujarat Giants on course with a brisk 49 off 26 balls, smashing four boundaries and three sixes to take the side past the 200-mark.
Jemimah Rodrigues pulled off a fine catch to dismiss Georgia Wareham (3), while Henry removed Gardner and Bharti Fulmali (3).
Nandini then capped a memorable outing by picking up four wickets in the final over, including three off the last three balls, to complete her maiden hat-trick.
