H D Kumaraswamy urges Karnataka govt to withdraw cases against BKU leader Rakesh Tikait
Bengaluru, Mar 25: Terming cases registered against Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on charges of delivering provocative speeches as an 'attempt to silence' the voice of farmers, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday demanded that it be withdrawn.
Cases have been registered against Tikait in Shivamogga and Haveri.
"The police have booked a case against Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait in Shivamogga and Haveri on the charges of delivering provocative speeches.
This is nothing but an attempt to silence the voice of farmers," Kumaraswamy said.
In a series of tweets, the former CM sought to know if cases had to really be booked against those indulging in provocative speeches, how many should have been booked against BJP leaders by now?
Tikait, who is at the forefront of the protests against the anti-farm laws in Delhi, was in Shivamogga on March 20 and addressed the first Raitha Mahapanchayat of south India, during which he had called upon farmers of Karnataka to intensify the protest against the anti-farm laws and block entries into Bengaluru with tractors.
Police had registered a suo motu case on Tuesday against him under section 153 of the IPC.
The Haveri police too have registered a suo motu case against Tikait for allegedly making a provocative speech during the Raitha Mahapanchayat held there on Sunday.
Noting that there is no provocative element in Tikaits statement- "Farmers need not come to Delhi for the struggle against new farm laws. You can launch a struggle here itself like the one in Delhi, Kumaraswamy said, in fact it is "faulty grasping" if someone feels that his statement is provocative.
"It is well within the rights granted by the Constitution to take up struggles and to give a call for struggle. He (Tikait) did not call for assaulting or killing. The case against Tikait should be withdrawn at the earliest," he added.
The police have booked a case against Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait in Shivamogga and Haveri on the charges of delivering provocative speech. This is nothing but an attempt to silence the voice of farmers.@narendramodi @BSYBJP @PMOIndia @CMofKarnataka
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 25, 2021
1/4
If they really wanted to book cases against those indulging in provocative speeches, how many cases should have been booked against BJP leaders by now?
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 25, 2021
2/4
There is no provocative element in Tikait’s statement- “Farmers need not come to Delhi for the struggle against new farm laws. You can launch a struggle here itself like the one in Delhi”. In fact it is 'faulty grasping' if someone feels that his statement is provocative.
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 25, 2021
3/4
It is well within the rights granted by the Constitution to take up struggles and to give a call for struggle. He did not call for assaulting or killing. The case against Tikait should be withdrawn at the earliest.@RakeshTikaitBKU
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 25, 2021
4/4
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
