JD(S), BJP united against 4% Muslim quota: H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Union Cabinet Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has dismissed reports suggesting a lack of coordination between the Janata Dal (Secular) and the BJP in opposing the Karnataka government's decision to provide a 4% reservation for Muslims in government tenders.
In a post on X, Kumaraswamy asserted that both parties are aligned in their stance and have strategised their opposition to the Congress government's decision. He revealed that a meeting of the NDA 'Coordination Committee' was held in Bengaluru before the legislative session, where a blueprint for the protest was formulated.
"The Congress government, solely for electoral gains and vote-bank politics, is ruining the reservation system, which is based on the ideal concept of 'social justice.' By turning reservation into a tool of appeasement, it is misleading the people of the state," Kumaraswamy wrote. He further stated that the JD(S) and BJP have jointly participated in various public struggles and will continue to do so.
His remarks come amid reports that the JD(S) has decided not to support the BJP's agitation against the Muslim quota. Party sources had earlier stated that JD(S) legislators were advised not to join the protest, citing former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda’s role in introducing the 4% Muslim reservation. The party leadership had reportedly earlier clarified that while it would support the BJP on issues like price hikes and corruption, it would not compromise on its ideological position regarding reservations.
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP leaders have vowed to intensify their protest against the quota. State BJP president B Y Vijayendra announced a statewide campaign to "educate Hindus about the injustice meted out to them by the Congress." Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka had earlier indicated that the party would continue its efforts to convince the JD(S) to participate in the agitation.
It is far from the truth that there is no coordination or agreement between @JanataDal_S and @BJP4Karnataka in the fight against the @INCKarnataka government's decision to provide 4% contract reservation for Muslims. Reports published in some newspapers and news channels are also…
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 24, 2025
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Three more arrested in connection with murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka), May 14 (PTI): The Mangaluru City Crime Branch has arrested three men in connection with the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Azaruddin alias Azar alias Ajju (29), Abdul Khader alias Noufal (24) and Vamanjoor Noushad alias Chotte Noushad (39), were arrested during the last two days, they said.
With the fresh arrests, a total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the murder so far, police said.
According to a police statement, Azaruddin had previously been booked in three theft cases registered at Panambur, Suratkal, and Mulki police stations. He allegedly provided information about Shetty's movements to the other accused, aiding in the murder.
Khader is said to have assisted the accused during their escape in a car after the murder was committed.
Noushad is accused of having conspired with the others and directly participated in the crime. He has six previous criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and robbery conspiracy, registered at various police stations in Dakshina Kannada, police said.
Azaruddin has been remanded in judicial custody, while Khader and Noushad have been taken into police custody for seven days for further investigation.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to trace other accused involved in the case.
Shetty, a known rowdy sheeter and Hindutva activist, was murdered by a group on May 1 within the Bajpe police station limits in Mangaluru City.
