‘Jagrutha Nagarikaru Karnataka’ condemns police action on Pro-Palestine program in Ranga Shankara
writes open letter to CM
Bengaluru: A day after the Bengaluru Police denied permission for a program scheduled at Rangashankara in the city, aimed to protest against Israel's recent actions in Palestine. ‘Jagrutha Nagarikaru Karnataka’ organisation has written a letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharmaih condemning the ban.
Led by artists MD Pallavi, Shwetanshu Bora, and Ramnik Singh, the program featured a literary fest and a short play.
On Thursday, leaders of 'Jagrutha Nagarikaru Karnataka,' including Dr. K. Marulasiddappa, Dr. G. Ramakrishna, Dr. Vijaya, Prof. S.G. Siddaramaiah, Prof. Rajendra Chenni, Dr. Banjagere Jayaprakash, Dr. Vasundhara Bhupathi, Dr. K. Sharifa, and other progressive thinkers, expressed their concern in an open letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In the letter, they demanded that the police department in the state should refrain from suppressing protesters and should protect the constitutional rights of the citizens.
The letter stated, “The forceful suppression by Karnataka Police of peaceful protests advocating for the Palestinian people being held by social activists is causing a major concern among the public. People are expressing their sympathy and compassion for the sufferings of the Palestinian people at a global level.”
The open letter further expressed difficulty in accepting the horrific killings in Palestine, stating, “ it is hard to accept the horrific killing of children and women in Palestine by Israel. Not only global citizens but also Israelis and Jews are also protesting in America and other countries condemning the attacks by Israel.”
In the letter the organisation has made an unanimus request to stop the attack immediately.
Expressing dismay at Karnataka Police’s actions,the letter further emphasized that at a time when the Government of India is retreating its support to the Palestinian people, the Karnataka Police is suppressing peaceful gatherings in support of Palestinian people.
Questioning whether the state has its own policy, the letter added, Peaceful demonstrations by various organizations in Bengaluru city, Sagara and Tumakuru were stopped by the Karnataka Police and the protesters were arrested. This means that there is a doubt whether the state of Karnataka has its own foreign policy.
The letter also points out that the Police is having a lenient behavior towards right wing groups, and are suppressing the real freedom of expression of citizens.
The letter further stressed on the government's duty to protect constitutional freedoms against violence, aggression, and atrocities.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
