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.
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Allu Arjun not at fault, ready to drop case, says husband of woman who died at 'Pushpa 2' premiere
Hyderabad, Dec 13: The husband of a woman who died when fans jostled during the December 4 premiere show of 'Pushpa 2' at a film theatre here, said on Friday he doesn't hold the film's male lead Allu Arjun "responsible for the tragedy".
Bhaskar, the woman's husband, stated he was "ready to withdraw" his case over the incident.
"Allu Arjun is not at fault for coming to the theatre. I am ready to withdraw my case," he told reporters.
Bhaskar added that he was not informed by the police about Arjun's arrest and learned about it only from the news.
His eight-year-old son, who suffered serious injuries in the incident, has been undergoing treatment at a private super-speciality hospital here.
The city police arrested Allu Arjun on Friday in connection with the woman's death. However, the Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail.
