K'taka govt withdraws cases against CM Siddaramaiah & Deputy CM DKShi for COVID-19 rule violation
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to withdraw criminal cases relating to violation of COVID-19 guidelines by state Congress and its leaders including, now Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar during the 'Mekedatu padayatra' organised by the party in 2022.
The Congress, then in opposition, had organised the padayatra (foot march), demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project, across the Cauvery river, despite COVID restrictions during the time.
"It has been decided to withdraw nine criminal cases booked in various police stations of the state. It is to do with only Mekedatu agitation, violating COVID rules and Section 144 and others," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, he said the decision has been taken based on the application of Congress MLA Ashok Pattan, who is also the government's Chief Whip in the Legislative Assembly.
"The cases are related to violation of COVID-19 guidelines by Congress party with its state President D K Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah (then Leader of Opposition), D K Suresh (Bengaluru Rural MP) by organising party convention and holding Mekedatu to Bengaluru, based on the complaint filed by Tahsildar Ramanagara, and nine other cases connected with these offences," he added.
The march with the theme Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku' (Our water, Our right) that had initially begun at Sangama, the confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers at Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, on January 9, 2022 was scheduled to conclude at Basavanagudi here on January 19, after spanning a total distance of nearly 139 km.
It was however temporarily halted on January 13, with limited options before the party, amid surging COVID-19 cases, government prohibiting movement of people, and the Karnataka High Court's strong observations regarding violation of curbs. Several Congress leaders who had attended the march were also infected by coronavirus.
The party resumed the padayatra in February end and it culminated at the National College Ground at Basavanagudi on March 3.
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Another incident of alleged insult to Islamic prayer reported in Belthangady
case lodged against 47 individuals
Belthangady: Another incident involving individuals allegedly dancing indecently, dressed in a denigrating manner, and insulting the Azan (Islamic call to prayer) has come to light under the jurisdiction of the Venoor Police Station. A case has been lodged against 17 accused persons and 20 to 30 others who were allegedly involved in the act.
Based on a complaint filed by Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Poyyegudde house in Padangady village, a case has been registered at Venoor police station against Savya residents Vasantha, Rajesh, Harish, Peradi residents Dayanand, Ranganath, Mohan, Shamit, Ravi, Ramesh Kulal, Suresh, Ashoka Kulal, Dhanush Haradottu, Harish Banthottu, Ramesh R.K, Suresh Barottu, Pramod, Prakash Peradi and 20 to 30 other individuals.
A case has been registered under Section 353(2) along with Section 3(5) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for disrespecting Islam, Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic prayer Azhan by wearing Muslim attire during a 'Purusha Kattuna' event on April 14th.
A video of the incident is reportedly circulating on various social media platforms. In the purported video, a group of individuals can be seen wearing traditional Muslim attire and allegedly insulting the Azan by dancing indecently during a 'Purusha Kattuna' (a ritualistic dance performed by men of different castes, typically marking the end of agricultural activities) event held in Peradi near Venoor.
This incident follows a similar episode reported just days ago during a Purushara Puja ceremony, where Islam was allegedly disrespected. A complaint had already been filed with the Venoor police regarding that incident.
Leaders from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had also approached the Venoor police and submitted an official complaint, and demanded immediate action against those who are responsible for creating unrest in the society by wearing Muslim attire and hurting religious sentiments.
The Venoor police have now registered a case following widespread outrage over the alleged video denigrating Islam.
