Belgaum: Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar bats for medal to PSI Annapurna for Hubballi encounter
Belgaum, April 15: Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar on Monday said that she would recommend Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Annapurna for a top state medal for her action in the recent Hubballi murder case, in which a minor girl was killed.
Speaking to media persons in Belgaum, Minister Hebbalkar said, “I appreciate PSI Annapurna’s work and will recommend to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara that she be honoured with the highest award.” She also personally congratulated the officer for her bravery.
The minister reiterated her long-standing demand for strict punishment in crimes involving violence against women. “Those accused in such cases should be hanged. Quick justice must be ensured for the victims,” she said, adding that PSI Annapurna’s action should serve as an example for other officers in the state.
When asked whether Annapurna would be eligible for the Rani Channamma Award, the minister clarified that the award is not given to government employees, but if such consideration arises, Annapurna’s name would top the list.
Criticism of BJP and Law and Order Remarks
Hebbalkar also defended the state’s law and order record, stating that the Karnataka government had handled the Hubballi incident effectively. She dismissed BJP’s criticism and said, “Instead of targeting us, the BJP should look at what’s happening in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not even visited the violence-hit state.”
Government to Organize Ambedkar Program in Nippani
Responding to a question about the BJP’s plan to host a ‘Bhima Nisam’ event in Nippani to commemorate 100 years of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s visit, the minister said that the Congress-led government would also organise a program in Nippani to mark the occasion. She added that the matter had already been discussed in the cabinet.
Clarification on Caste Census
When asked about the release of the caste census, Minister Hebbalkar said that the Congress government has never opposed it. “The earlier census counted Veerashaivas and Lingayats separately. It should be corrected and updated. The population of all communities, including Veerashaivas and Lingayats, has increased,” she said, clarifying that the figures appearing low is due to the split in categorisation.
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SC notice to Centre on PIL against Muslim personal law sections being 'discriminatory' against women
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre's response on a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, on the ground that those are allegedly discriminatory against women.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Panchol took note of the submissions made by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared in the matter for petitioners Poulomi Pavini Shukla and the Nyaya Naari Foundation, and issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The plea says the current Shariat inheritance rules are "manifestly discriminatory" against women, often granting them only half or less of the share allocated to their male counterparts.
Bhushan said the 1937 Act violates Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.
He said matters of succession are civil in nature and do not constitute an "essential religious practice" protected under Article 25.
"Saying women will get half or even less than half compared to male counterparts is discriminatory," the lawyer said.
