Group of 75 prominent figures write to K'taka CM, urge him to restore communal harmony in state
Bengaluru(PTI): A group of 75 people including eminent personalities have written an open letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, expressing concern about "recent developments" that threaten to destroy peace and diversity in Karnataka.
They requested Bommai to take proactive steps to ensure that a clear message is sent to those instigating or indulging in violence and creating fear and that such unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated and will be punished.
The group, calling themselves 'concerned citizens', pressed for restoring the State to a 'Sarva janangada shantiya thota' (a garden of peace for diverse communities), as mentioned in 'Naada Geethe' (state anthem) penned by Kuvempu.
They said the "current spate of divisive actions aimed at alienating particular communities and denying them their fundamental rights" will not only hamper development but also hurt our state's reputation, hinder progress and innovation, erode the confidence of entrepreneurs and investors, heighten insecurity, suspicion, fear and resentment among citizens.
The restoration of communal harmony is an important and urgent task, they said, expressing trust that the government headed by Bommai will not wish to go down in history as the one that precipitated a "steep downturn" in the reputation and fortunes of our state through inaction.
The signatories include retired civil servants, writers, artists and academics like Yellappa Reddy, Indian Forest Service (retd), Ravivarma Kumar (former Advocate General, Karnataka), Chiranjiv Singh, IAS (retd), Ajai Kumar Singh IPS (retd), Raghunandan IAS (retd), Shashi Deshpande (writer), Vaidehi (writer), Girish Kasaravalli (film maker) and Ramchandra Guha (historian).
The group has claimed that they have been trying to secure an appointment with the CM and wished to present this letter to him in person, but since they have not succeeded in their efforts, they have decided to issue it as an open letter.
They stated that they are deeply disturbed by recent developments in the State that threaten to destroy the peace, diversity and pluralism for which "Kannada Naadu" has long been known and admired.
They highlighted the open-minded, cosmopolitan culture of Karnataka that has made it a magnet for creative and innovative minds from across the country in more recent times.
They said, given this glorious background, the recent "spate of attacks of various kinds aimed at Muslim, Christian and Dalit communities" has shocked and upset those who pride themselves on Karnataka's receptive and inclusive nature.
"It is bad enough that individuals and groups motivated by bigotry and hatred are attempting to reconfigure the idea and established reality of Karnataka by aggressively seeking to exclude, isolate, dispossess and assault communities on the basis of religion and caste," they added.
The signatories further highlighted that it is even more alarming and distressing that some people in responsible positions, including several who hold office having taken an oath to uphold and abide by the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India, now openly violate that solemn pledge and demonise members of certain minorities.
They also appear to validate, support and even promote intimidation, vigilantism, violence, forcible takeover of property, as well as social and economic boycotts, all aimed at rendering them second class citizens who can no longer expect to enjoy their Constitutional rights, the letter alleged.
Noting that the current spate of decisive actions aimed at alienating particular communities and denying them their fundamental rights is also threatening the integrity of our nation, it said it is not possible to "Make in India" in a climate where people are "Scared in India" and even "Scarred in India."
Pointing at government advertisements in the press on Basava Jayanthi 2022 (3 May), about building an equitable and harmonious society as envisaged by Basavanna, the letter further said, it would have been even more heartening if the government had also acknowledged Ramzan/ Idu'l Fitr, celebrated on the same day, and used the occasion to reach out to Muslim citizens, reassuring them about their safety and security, especially at a time when they have been under persistent attack.
The signatories, urged CM to direct the state's police force to do its Constitutional duty to uphold the law, safeguard vulnerable citizens and guarantee that victims of crimes, including communal and casteist hate crimes, have full access to justice; take appropriate action against the local authorities responsible for maintaining peace and harmony in case of communal violence; take prompt and strong action against hate speech.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
