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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Gumla (PTI): Three persons were arrested on Monday for allegedly raping two women at a village in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, police said.

All the three accused have been remanded to judicial custody, Gumla Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge, Mahendra Karmali, told PTI.

According to police, one of the women had been called to Gumla Sadar by her boyfriend on Sunday for an outing.

“She arrived at the spot accompanied by a female. The woman’s boyfriend then called a friend, and they took the two women to a secluded place in Sisai police station area in the evening, forcibly made them consume alcohol before raping them,” the officer said.

The accused later called another man to the spot, who also allegedly raped the women, he said.

“The women later reached the Sadar Police Station and lodged a complaint on Sunday night. Police conducted raids and nabbed the three accused on Monday,” he added.

Further investigation is underway.