Karnataka govt mulling implementation of uniform civil code: CM Bommai
Shivamogga (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that his government was strongly mulling implementation of the uniform civil code in the state to ensure equality. Addressing his party workers here on Friday, the CM pointed out that the preamble of the Constitution speaks of equality and fraternity.
Reaffirming his commitment to implement the UCC, he said, "..we have been talking about uniform civil code from the time of Deendayal Upadhyay. There is a serious thought going on in the country at the national and state level. There is also an intention to implement it when the right time comes."
"... we are also discussing how to do (implementation) it in our state."
Bommai also told the gathering that the state government will take all necessary measures to implement it.
"I would like to say very clearly that we not only expound things we believe in that can make people's welfare possible and bring equality, but also will take all strong measures to implement it," the Chief Minister explained.
On the anti-conversion law which the BJP government in Karnataka has introduced, Bommai said many people called it anti-constitutional, but now the Supreme Court has passed an order, saying that forced conversion is a crime.
"Whenever we think of introducing reforms to bring equality in the society, most often it is wrongly interpreted," he said.
A few BJP-ruled states in the country like Assam and Uttarakhand have their expressed intent to implement the UCC. The Chief Minister also said his party has a strong belief that devotees should manage the temples. In the coming days, provisions will be made in that direction.
Only the BJP can do value-based politics, he said adding that steps taken to increase reservation for the SC/ST was 'revolutionary'.
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One dead, 20 rescued after tourist boat capsizes off Calangute beach in Goa
Panaji, Dec 25: One person died and 20 others were rescued after a tourist boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off Calangute beach in North Goa on Wednesday, police said.
The incident occurred around 1.30 pm, they said.
"A 54-year-old man died and 20 others were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after the boat they were travelling in capsized," a senior police official said.
Except for two passengers, all others were wearing life jackets, he said.
The passengers included children as young as six year old and women, he said.
Spokesman of Drishti Marine, a government-appointed lifesaving agency, said the boat capsized around 60 metres away from the coastline, resulting in all the passengers falling off into the sea water.
A family comprising 13 members from Khed in Maharashtra were among the passengers on board, he said.
On seeing the boat getting capsized, a personnel of Drishti Marine rushed to aid and called for backup, he said.
"In all, 18 on-duty lifesavers rushed to the aid of the struggling passengers and brought them to shore safely," he said.
The injured passengers were administered first aid, while those who were found to be critical were rushed to a medical facility in an ambulance, the spokesman said.
"Of the 20 passengers, two children aged six and seven each, and two women aged 25 and 55 each, were revived and hospitalised," he said, adding that two passengers on the boat were not wearing life jackets.
Goa is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The incident occurred a week after a speeding Navy craft undergoing engine trials lost control and crashed into passenger ferry 'Neel Kamal' off the Mumbai coast, killing 15 persons. The ferry, carrying more than 100 passengers, was on its way from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a popular tourist attraction famous for its cave temples.
