CM Siddaramaiah backs Priyank Kharge, says he won’t bow to threats over RSS remarks
Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly defended Minister Priyank Kharge, stating that there is nothing wrong in his demand to ban RSS activities in government premises, similar to the model followed in Tamil Nadu. He also said both he and Kharge will not be intimidated by threats.
Speaking to reporters at Mysuru Airport, the Chief Minister said, “Priyank Kharge himself has informed me that he has been receiving threat calls after his statement. He said the RSS should not be allowed to hold activities in government places and that Karnataka too should follow Tamil Nadu’s example. There is nothing wrong in that. Such threats will not scare us,” Siddaramaiah said.
He confirmed that the government has sought details on the RSS ban in Tamil Nadu, instructing the Chief Secretary to gather information on how the restriction was implemented there. “Once we receive the report, we will examine it. Meanwhile, Priyank Kharge will be given police protection,” he assured.
“Evil forces always indulge in such acts,” the Chief Minister remarked. “Priyank is not afraid of these threats, neither am I,” he added.
Responding to questions on the delay in the Social, Economic, and Educational Survey, Siddaramaiah clarified that the progress is satisfactory across the state except in Bengaluru, where the pace has been relatively slower.
On reports that Srinivasapura MLA had approached the High Court alleging discrimination in fund allocation, the Chief Minister dismissed the claim, asking, “Did the JD(S) ever provide grants to our MLAs when they were in power?”
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Sculptor Ram Sutar, designer of Statue of Unity, passes away
New Delhi (PTI): Noted sculptor Ram Sutar, known for designing the world's tallest statue — Statue of Unity — in Gujarat, passed away late on Wednesday night at his Noida residence, his son said.
He was 100 and ailing with age-related illnesses.
"It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence," his son Anil Sutar said in a note shared with the press on Thursday.
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Born in a humble family in Gondur village under the Dhule district of present-day Maharashtra on February 19, 1925, Sutar is known to have been drawn to sculpting from his childhood.
A gold medallist from JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar, has to his credit a long list of achievements.
The iconic statues of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a meditating pose and of Chhatrapati Shivaji riding a horse on the Parliament premises rank among his finest creations.
The Statue of Unity honours Sardar Patel, country's first deputy prime minister and home minister.
Sutar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016.
Recently, Sutar was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest award.
