Madikeri: KSRTC bus hits tree as driver loses control; Major tragedy averted
Madikeri: Averting a major tragedy, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus collided with a tree as the driver lost its control, avoiding a fall into a potentially tragic 50 feet gorge here at Kumbaragadige near Surlabbi in Somwarpet taluk.
The incident reportedly happened, after the driver of the KSRTC bus heading towards Somwarpet from Madikeri via Surlabbi lost control over the vehicle at the turn near Kumbaragadi village. As a result, the bus hit a tree on the side of the road. Among the passengers in the bus, most of them were reported to be school children.
Meanwhile, had the bus continued without hitting the tree, it might have ended up plunging into a 50-foot-deep gorge. The road in Surlabbi is narrow and has several curves. Simultaneously the locals claimed that the absence of signboards in the area was the cause of the accident, they also urged the concerned authorities to immediately install sign boards at the curves.
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Chandrashekhar Swamiji apologises for remark on denying voting rights to Muslims
"If my statement has upset our Muslim brothers, I deeply regret it."
Bengaluru: Kumara Chandrashekharanath Swamiji, head of the Vishva Okkaliga Mahasansthana Mutt, has expressed regret over his controversial statement suggesting that "Muslims should be denied voting rights."
In a press release, Swamiji clarified, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
He further added, "Okkaligas are inherently tolerant of all religions. We have always treated people of every faith equally. Our Mutt maintains cordial relations with Muslims, and they frequently visit us. Similarly, we attend their weddings and other joyous occasions. Hence, there is no intolerance towards this community." Swamiji appealed to the public to disregard the controversy surrounding his remark.
The controversial statement was made during a farmers' rally, ‘Raita Gharjana,’ organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Karnataka Pradesh, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Swamiji had said, "A law should be enacted to deny voting rights to the Muslim community, and the Wakf Board should be abolished."
The remark drew widespread criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Following the backlash, Swamiji issued his apology, stating, "Muslims are also citizens of this country. Like everyone else, they too have voting rights. If my statement yesterday has caused discomfort to our Muslim brothers, I sincerely apologise for it."
