DSS stages 'Tamate' protest against Bhagavad Gita seminar at Kuvempu University
Shivamogga: A seminar titled "Bhagavad Gita and Crime Control," organized at Kuvempu University, sparked controversy on Tuesday, leading to a protest by the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (KDSS).
The seminar was jointly organised by Kuvempu University, the Swarna Rashmi Trust, and the Sri Bhagavad Gita Abhiyan District Committee. Opposing the event, KDSS members staged a 'Tamate Chaluvali' (drum-beating agitation) in front of the university campus.
Allegations of right-wing agenda
Addressing the protesters, M. Gurumurthy, State Convener of the KDSS, alleged that the seminar was being used to promote a right-wing ideological agenda.
"This event is contrary to the ideals of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu and violates the spirit of the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar," Gurumurthy stated.
Call for boycott by Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa
The protesters directed sharp criticism at Vice-Chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy, accusing him of harbouring fundamentalist views. With the university scheduled to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava tomorrow, Gurumurthy appealed to the chief guest, noted writer Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, to boycott the function.
"Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, who has served as the conscience of this land for years, should not share the stage with a Vice-Chancellor who is communal, casteist, and fundamentalist. I appeal to him not to attend the program," Gurumurthy urged.
Gurumurthy demanded that the State Government recall Vice-Chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy. He argued that Kuvempu advocated for 'Manava Jathi' (Universal Humanity) and believed that no single religious text should be revered above humanity.
"It is inappropriate to bring RSS ideologies to the forefront in a university named after Kuvempu. Why is the administration conducting this event secretly, without any university scholars, and under heavy police protection? By doing so, the Vice-Chancellor has stood against the very aspirations of Kuvempu," he added.
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
