Bahutva Karnataka writes open letter to CM, demands measures to restore 'political health' of state
In a congratulatory message to the victorious party in Karnataka, Bahutva Karnataka, a civil society collective committed to justice, equality, communal harmony, and peace, emphasizes the need for immediate and long-term measures to restore the economic, social, cultural, and political health of the state. The collective highlights the disenchantment and disappointment of over 60% of the population with the policies and politics of the previous government, which caused distress and insecurity across various sections of society.
The recent elections witnessed significant participation from civil society organizations concerned about the impact of these policies on the vulnerable sections and democratic fabric of the state. The collective commends the party for raising awareness about large-scale corruption and emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional commitments to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Bahutva Karnataka had previously released sector-specific report cards evaluating the performance of the previous government in areas such as education, healthcare, women's rights, minority rights, workers' rights, and governance. Drawing from these reports, the collective emphasizes the following urgent measures for the new government:
Justice:
Abolish anti-labor laws allowing 12-hour workdays and address grievances of various workforces.
Provide land rights to slum residents and make the 2015 socio-economic educational survey public for enhancing accessibility to education.
Strengthen action against gender-based violence, renew Santwana Kendras, and empower commissions for women and child rights.
Increase funding for preserving forest and marine ecosystems, reviewing environmentally sensitive projects.
Repeal anti-farmer laws and legalize Minimum Support Price.
Ensure transparency in government decisions and tackle the practice of manual scavenging.
Liberty of Thought and Expression:
Uphold civil society's right to dissent and revoke restrictions on protests.
Revoke anti-conversion laws and promote tolerance and unbiased engagement with citizens.
Conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections to facilitate local body functioning.
Equality of Opportunities to Education and Health:
Fill teaching and support staff positions in educational institutions.
Increase school enrollments, allocate funds for infrastructure, and restore mid-day meal schemes.
Formulate a State Education Policy based on consultations with experts, ensuring holistic knowledge and critical thinking.
Allocate resources for improving public health infrastructure and enhance welfare schemes like Indira Canteens and free public transport.
Fraternity:
Address untouchability and inequality, promote diversity, and strictly deal with violations of fraternity and dignity.
Strengthen human rights commissions and involve citizens in decision-making through gram sabhas and public consultations.
The collective also calls for the implementation of a pre-legislative consultation policy to ensure public participation in the lawmaking process. They express their commitment to holding the government accountable and urge continued engagement on issues impacting public interest.
As Karnataka seeks renewal under the new government, the implementation of these measures is seen as crucial to transforming the state into a more just, equitable, and harmonious entity.
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'Strong evidence' available against Saif attacker, police tell court while opposing his bail plea
Mumbai, Jul 25 (PTI): Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused.
Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam.
These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24).
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt.
The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days.
Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan.
The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India.
If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued.
In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record.
Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail.
The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
