Govt will not remain silent if Panchamasali protesters take law into their hands: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that the government will not remain silent if anyone takes the law into their own hands, causing trouble for the public. He was responding to recent protests by the Panchamasali community demanding reservations under Category 2A.
While acknowledging the right of the Panchamasali community to protest and seek reservations, Siddaramaiah emphasised that protests should be peaceful and within the boundaries of the law. He stressed that the law applies equally to everyone, including Swamijis, and no one is above it. According to Article 14 of the Constitution, all individuals are equal before the law, and they are entitled to equal protection under it.
Referring to the recent clashes during protests at Suvarna Soudha, the BJP alleged that the police had pelted stones at the Panchamasali community members. However, Siddaramaiah refuted this claim, saying that there is evidence to show that BJP members were responsible for stone-throwing and breaching barricades. He questioned why the Swamijis were sitting on the road and how over 20 police officers would be injured if the protesters did not throw stones.
Siddaramaiah further explained that the Panchamasali community members should approach the Backward Classes Commission for the permanent status of their reservation. He mentioned that during the BJP regime, the then-chairman of the Commission, Jayaprakash Hegde, had recommended that Categories 2A and 2B should remain as they are, with no new additions, and the 4% reservation under Category 2B should not be revoked.
He pointed out that during the BJP's tenure, there were no protests, but now the same BJP is supporting the ongoing struggle. Referring to the Muslim 4% reservation, which was removed, Siddaramaiah noted that during the BJP regime, a 2% reservation for the Okkaligas under Category 3A and Lingayats under Category 3B was provided. This move was questioned in court by a Muslim individual, Rasool, who challenged the changes. Siddaramaiah added that the BJP government had assured that there would be no changes to reservations back then.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Panchamasali community had previously stated that their protest would be peaceful, but there was an attempt to take the law into their own hands. He clarified that three ministers, including Mahadeveppa, were sent to the protest site to ensure peace.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump repeats claim he stopped potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan
New York/Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump has repeated his claim of resolving the India-Pakistan conflict and asserted that Islamabad's leadership credited him for saving millions of lives.
"We stopped a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India. And the head of Pakistan, a highly respected General, he's a Field Marshal and also the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more...,” Trump said Monday.
He made these remarks at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, flanked by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“You know, eight planes were shot down. That war was starting to rage, and he actually said the other day that President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more. So we solved all these wars. The only one I haven't solved yet is Russia, Ukraine,” he said.
ALSO READ: Man murders colleague, dumps body in water tank in Palghar; held
Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim over 60 times that he “helped settle” the tensions between the two neighbours.
New Delhi has consistently denied any third-party intervention.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
