BJP MLAs have themselves advised to investigate the illegal BBMP works says DyCM D.K Shivakumar
New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday speaking at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi stated that BJP MLAs themselves have advised conducting an impartial investigation into the illegalities in BBMP works. “Considering their advice seriously, I have sought a report to know the facts," he added.
Addressing the media he said that "Many people have been waiting for the pending bills for over years. Who has given the work? What work has been done, and what is the quality of the work? These aspects need to be scrutinized properly. After receiving the said report, I will speak in detail."
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Regarding the water sharing dispute issue, DK Shivakumar said that he has held discussions with legal experts, but a final decision conclusion has not yet reached. He further informed that he has collected information related to the Mahadayi, Cauvery, Krishna river water sharing, and the Mekedatu project. The remaining issues will be discussed with the Chief Minister and in the cabinet meeting, and further directions will be provided. He stressed that no time should be wasted, and the government is committed to resolving all the issues on the priority basis.
Global tenders invited to resolve traffic congestion
Shivakumar further informed that he has met the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari in Delhi and discussed the issues pertaining to traffic congestion in Bengaluru. He has expressed positive feedback and has sought a comprehensive plan report. Already, through an ‘’expression of interest' BBMP and BDA, has invited an international tender, and the last date for tender submission is August 8th.
Four national highways pass through Bengaluru, and these roads are the reason for increase in the traffic congestion since more vehicles enter the city through these routes. Resolving the traffic congestion issue must happen through the National Highways Authority of India. Cooperation and support are important for this, and I have discussed it with the Union Minister, Shivakumar said, expressing satisfaction with the positive response from Union Minister Nithin Gadkari.
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Bangladesh High Court refuses to ban ISKCON
Dhaka, Nov 28: Bangladesh High Court Thursday rejected a petition seeking a ban on ISKCON's activities in the country, days after a lawyer was killed in a clash between security personnel and supporters of a Hindu leader, previously linked to the religious group.
A lawyer had sought a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) after placing some newspaper reports related to the organisation on Wednesday.
"The two-member High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Debashish Roy Chowdhury on Thursday declined to ban the ISKCON activities in Bangladesh," a spokesman of the attorney general's office said.
He said the bench made the decision after the attorney general's office submitted a report on the action taken by the government regarding the death of assistant government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif in the northeastern port city of Chattogram earlier this week.
Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachary, arrested earlier this week, was sent to jail by a Chattogram court on sedition charges, sparking a violent protest during which advocate Alif was killed. Chinmoy was earlier expelled from ISKCON.
"Right at this moment, the situation does not warrant the intervention of the (High) court as the State is carrying out its job (regarding the matter),” Justice Mahbub was quoted as saying by the spokesman.
The decision came a day after Attorney-General Mohammad Asaduzzaman urged the court not to take any decisions on the ISKCON issue as the government has started taking the required action.
Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque and Deputy Attorney General Asad Uddin informed the bench that three separate cases have been filed in connection with the murder of the lawyer and ISKCON's activities, and 33 accused have been arrested in these cases.
The bench then hoped that the government would remain cautious about protecting the law and order situation and the lives and properties of the people of Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, ISKCON Bangladesh refuted allegations linking the organisation to the lawyer's killing, saying the claims were baseless and part of a malicious campaign.
"A series of false, fabricated, and malicious campaigns is being spearheaded targeting ISKCON Bangladesh, particularly in connection with recent events. These efforts are aimed at discrediting our organisation and creating societal unrest," general secretary of the organization Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari said.
Speaking at a press conference at the organisation’s head office, he said ISKCON Bangladesh was never involved in "communal or conflict-driven activities and will continue to promote unity and harmony".
"We have already clarified the matter multiple times through press conferences and official communications with the government and administrative authorities. Regrettably, certain groups continue to deliberately spread false propaganda against our organisation and make unreasonable demands, such as banning ISKCON," Das said.
He said that Chinmoy was previously expelled from the organisation along with two others for violating its rules and none of their activities were connected to ISKCON.
ISKCON Bangladesh President Satya Ranjan Baroi also spoke at the press conference, saying their organisation was dedicated to communal harmony, religious tolerance, and the welfare of humanity and “the allegations are an attempt to tarnish our religious and social reputation".
Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum on Thursday staged a protest in front of the Supreme Court Bar, protesting the lawyer's killing and demanding the ban on ISKCON.
The group is regarded as the lawyers’ wing of ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, which led the mass upheaval to oust deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5, also demanded the ban on ISKCON.
Separately, a group of Supreme Court lawyers sent a legal notice to the Bangladesh government on Wednesday seeking the ban on ISKCON describing it as a “radical organisation.”
India on Tuesday noted with “deep concern” Chinmoy's arrest and denial of bail and urged Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all other minority groups.
Earlier, the ISKCON had urged the Bangladesh authorities to promote "peaceful coexistence" for Hindus in the country as it "strongly" denounced the arrest of the Hindu leader.
Chinmoy, the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday as he was about to fly to Chattogram to join a rally.
He was denied bail and sent to jail by the Chattogram’s Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate court in a sedition case on Tuesday.
