Mallikarjun Kharge family's Siddharth Vihar Trust decides to return 5 acres of land
Bengaluru: The Siddharth Vihar Trust, led by Rahul Kharge, son of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, has decided to return 5 acres of civic amenity (CA) land in Bengaluru's Aerospace Park. This decision follows a controversy over the allocation of the land to the trust.
Two days ago, the trust wrote to the government, requesting to return the allotted CA land. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had earlier conducted the allocation process, during which 193 organisations applied for the land, and 43 were selected, including the Siddharth Vihar Trust. However, the allocation sparked criticism, leading to the current decision.
Today, Karnataka Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge clarified the decision during a press conference in Bengaluru, stating that the family’s trust would return the allotted site in light of the controversy.
The issue arose from allegations that the allocation process was improper. According to Priyank Kharge, Rahul Kharge was likely unaware of the allocation. He added, "Only three of us from the family are involved in politics. My elder brother is a soft-spoken individual who has expressed distress over the attacks our family has faced. On 29 September, he wrote to KIADB to return the land, stating that the allocation would be legally handed back."
Priyank further explained that Rahul Kharge had applied for the land in accordance with the rules and that it was allotted based on proper documentation. He emphasised that the allocation was legal and not rushed, adding, "Rahul Kharge, who is not well-known to the public, passed the UPSC exams and worked hard for his education. This is merely a political accusation, with no wrongdoing involved."
In his remarks, Priyank also criticised the BJP, stating that personal attacks on their family were ongoing and that "BJP leaders do not send their children to the RSS." He accused BJP leaders of consistently engaging in slanderous comments to tarnish their family’s reputation.
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Pro-chancellor of St Aloysius University, Fr Melwin J Pinto SJ passes away at 63
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Mangaluru: Fr Melwin J Pinto SJ, Pro-chancellor of St Aloysius University Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, and Vice President of Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society (MJES), breathed his last on Friday, April 10. He was 63.
Born in 1963, Fr Melwin Pinto completed his schooling and college education at St Aloysius before joining the Jesuit order on June 20, 1981. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest on April 14, 1997.
Over the years, he held several academic qualifications, including an MA in English, a Master’s degree in Education, and diplomas in psychology and counselling as well as school administration.
He began his career in education as headmaster of St Joseph’s Primary School and High School in Hassan, serving between 1996 and 1999.
He later founded St Joseph’s Indian PU College and served as its principal until 2007. He subsequently served as headmaster of St Aloysius High School, Mangaluru, from 2007 to 2011, and later as principal of St Joseph’s PU College, Hassan, until 2012.
Fr Melwin Pinto also worked with Vatican Communications and Radio in Rome, contributing to its English desk for Asia and Indian languages.
He later served as superior and director of Fatima Retreat House in Valencia for two years from May 2017, before being appointed as superior of the Jesuit study home ‘Vidyaniketan’ in Dharwad.
He was also closely associated with the development of St Aloysius Institutions and played a key role in securing the status of a Deemed-to-be University. His contribution to the education sector and efforts towards innovation were widely acknowledged. He was known for maintaining close relations with people from all sections of society.
Legislative Council MLA Ivan D’Souza, in a statement, said the demise of Fr Melwin J Pinto was a huge loss to the educational and religious fields and had created a significant void in society.
Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also expressed grief, stating that his service and contributions to education would always be remembered.
Details regarding the funeral are yet to be announced.
