BJP MLA who opposed banning of Muslim vendors at temples, fair, denied ticket by party in Karnataka
Belagavi: Supporters of BJP MLA Anil Benake on Wednesday staged a protest against the saffron party for denying a ticket to Anil Benake while choosing Dr. Ravi Patil from the constituency.
Anil Benake was recently in the headlines for opposing the ban on the entry of Muslim businessmen during local events like fairs (Jatre) and religious ceremonies.
Supporters of Benake, however, raised their objections to the ‘ill-treatment’ of the legislator by protesting at the Rani Chennamma Circle on Wednesday.
The BJP legislator had opposed the restraint by the Sangh Parivar members on Muslim vendors from opening stores during the village fairs and religious programs. In addition, Benake had undertaken several developmental works in the constituency, yet the BJP did not give him a ticket for the forthcoming elections, and his supporters expressed ire, calling it an act of injustice.
Benake had, earlier, spoken up against the demand for a ban on non-Hindu vendors, including Muslims, at fairs and religious events, calling it ‘unconstitutional’ to impose such constraints on their business
“It is wrong to impose rules on the places where a person may eat or purchase from – the choice is to be made by the people and they have to decide what to buy where,” Benake had said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Cong's countrywide protest on Wednesday against VB-G RAM-G bill replacing MGNREGA
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress will hold protests across the country on Wednesday against the Centre's rural employment bill VB-G RAM G that seeks to replace MGNREGA, claiming it was a "BJP-RSS conspiracy" to dismantle a rights-based welfare scheme and attack Mahatma Gandhi's legacy, workers' rights and federal responsibility.
The opposition party's general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal, in a letter to all state Congress presidents, urged them to organise protests at all district headquarters.
These protests must be held with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolising resistance to the erasure of his name and values, and highlight how the proposed law will impact the crores of beneficiaries of MGNREGA, he said in the letter.
"The combined attack on Gandhiji's legacy, workers' rights and federal responsibility exposes a larger BJP-RSS conspiracy to dismantle rights-based welfare and replace it with charity controlled from the Centre," Venugopal said.
The opposition has strongly objected to the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday.
ALSO READ: National Herald Case: Delhi court refuses to take cognisance of ED chargesheet against Gandhis
The Congress and other opposition MPs also staged a protest in Parliament House complex over the Centre's move.
In the letter to the Congress state unit chief, Venugopal said that on December 28, the party's Foundation Day, programmes should be organised at all blocks and villages, with Mahatma Gandhi's portraits, reaffirming the party's commitment to the dignity of labour, social justice and the right to work.
"This is both a political and moral struggle. The Congress must lead from the front to defend MGNREGA, Gandhiji's legacy and the constitutional promise of justice for the poorest," Venugopal said in a post on X.
In his letter, he said the BJP government has taken an alarming and deliberate step by introducing a bill to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
"This is not a routine legislative exercise. It is a calculated political move to weaken a historical, rights-based people's law and to erase Mahatma Gandhi's name and values from India's most recognisable welfare legislation.
"This combined attack on Gandhiji's legacy, rights and federal responsibility exposes a larger BJP-RSS conspiracy to dismantle rights-based welfare and replace it with charity controlled from the Centre," he noted.
