CM Siddaramaiah emphasizes creating Kannada-centric atmosphere in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated the importance of fostering a Kannada-centric environment in Karnataka during a ceremony organized by the Department of Kannada and Culture. The occasion marked the Bhoomi Puja for the construction of a bronze statue of Goddess Nada Devi Bhuvaneswari Devi, near the western entrance of Vidhana Soudha, as part of the Karnataka Namakarana Suvarna Mahotsava.
Addressing the gathering, CM Siddaramaiah emphasized the significance of preserving Kannada language, culture, and heritage, urging all residents to prioritize Kannada in their daily lives.
"Speaking in Kannada should be a matter of pride for every individual residing in Karnataka," he stated passionately.
Highlighting the need for Kannadigas to embrace their mother tongue, Siddaramaiah compared the linguistic pride observed in other states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. "We must cultivate a similar reverence for Kannada," he urged, urging all residents to learn and communicate in Kannada within the state.
Regarding the statue's construction, CM Siddaramaiah set a deadline for completion by November 1, 2024, expressing confidence in the project's progress and funding. The proposed 25-foot bronze statue is expected to enhance the aesthetic appeal of Vidhana Soudha.
The ceremony was attended by Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraja Horatti, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivraj Thangadagi, and several MLAs.
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Assam to lift all cases against Koch Rajbongshis in Foreigners' Tribunals: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati, Apr 4 (PTI): The Assam cabinet has decided to lift all cases pending against people from the Koch Rajbongshi community in the Foreigners' Tribunals, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.
They will also no longer carry the tag of 'D' or doubtful voters, he said.
''There are 28,000 cases pending in different Foreigners' Tribunals in the state against people of the community. The cabinet has taken a historic decision of lifting the cases with immediate effect,'' Sarma said at a press conference here after the cabinet meeting.
The government believes that the Koch Rajbongshis are an indigenous community of the state and they are an inextricable part of ''our social and cultural fabric'', he asserted.
The people of this community are poor and have suffered a lot over the years, he said.
''They will no longer carry the tag of foreigners or ‘D’ voters,'' the CM said.
Foreigners Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies, particularly in Assam, established to determine if a person residing in India is a "foreigner" as defined by the Foreigners Act of 1946, based on the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964.
These tribunals are designed to address matters related to citizenship and the presence of “foreigners” in India, specifically focusing on cases where someone is suspected of being an illegal immigrant.
There are 100 Foreigners’ Tribunals across Assam.
The Koch Rajbongshis have a sizeable presence in Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and parts of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, and they demand Scheduled Tribe status.
