Enforcement Directorate probes possible role of foreign funds in fueling unrest in Dharmasthala
Dharmasthala: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly initiated a preliminary investigation into potential foreign funding links that may have contributed to fueling communal unrest surrounding the controversial Dharmasthala incident.
According to officials quoted by Deccan Herald on Wednesday, the agency has initiated the preliminary investigation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Officials mentioned that investigators are currently examining documents related to entities, including NGOs, that could have used “dubious” funds for creating tension in society.
ED officials said that if any irregularities are found, strict action will follow.
However, when Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara was questioned about the ED's probe, he stated that he was not aware of the agency initiating an investigation into the alleged funding in the ‘mass burial’ case.
Responding sharply to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand for an NIA probe, the Home Minister dismissed the call, asserting that such a move is unnecessary and appears to be politically motivated.
“Till the SIT investigation is complete, we won’t say anything else. It appears that their [BJP’s] intention is to hamper the SIT probe,” Parameshwara said.
He maintained that transferring the investigation to another agency would only be considered if there were errors in the current probe, but asserted that the SIT had conducted its work without any such mistakes.
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Karnataka govt to strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy, after HC directive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.
The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to "strictly and faithfully" implement the menstrual leave policy, pending formal enactment of the proposed legislation.
"I welcome the directive issued by the Karnataka High Court in support of our state government's ambitious menstrual leave policy," Lad said.
The state government has taken firm steps to implement the menstrual leave policy comprehensively, and as a model to the country, he said in a post on 'X' on Thursday.
"In line with the court's opinion that menstrual leave is a matter of women's dignity, justice, and humane recognition of their lived realities, we will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy--equivalent to one day per month, or 12 days per year--across all sectors at the earliest," he added.
The court had said that in the interregnum, it shall be incumbent upon the state to ensure effective operationalisation of the policy through the issuance of suitable guidelines, circulars, and administrative instructions, as may be necessary to secure its uniform, consistent, and rigorous implementation across all sectors.
The court issued the directive while hearing on a petition filed by 41-year-old Chandravva Hanumant Gokavi, who works in a hotel in Mudalgi of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district, before the Dharwad bench, seeking implementation of the November 20, 2025, order of the government providing one-day menstrual leave for all working women.
