Minister Byrati Suresh announces 7-day closure of GT Mall over farmer insult
Bengaluru: Minister Byrati Suresh has announced that GT Mall will be shut down for seven days as a response to alleged disrespect towards farmers.
The decision was announced in the Monsoon session of the Legislature, where the issue of denial of entry to a farmer into GT Mall was raised.
Minister Suresh, speaking on behalf of the government, stated, "We have engaged with the BBMP commissioner regarding this matter. Legal provisions allow for government action. Consequently, we have decided to close the mall for seven days as a disciplinary measure."
Background
On July 17th, a farmer and his son visiting GT Mall on Magadi Road in Bengaluru were allegedly denied entry due to the farmer's attire—a dhoti and white shirt. The incident sparked outrage after the farmer, identified as Fakirappa from Haveri, was initially refused entry while accompanying his family for watching a movie.
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Following the incident, which was recorded on video by his son and circulated on social media, there was widespread condemnation from pro-Kannada and farmers' organizations across the state. They demanded an immediate apology from the mall authorities and threatened protests if their demands were not met.
On Wednesday, activists led by Rupesh Rajanna from a Pro-Kannada organization gathered outside GT Mall, protesting vehemently against the discrimination faced by Fakirappa. The demonstrators called for stringent action against the mall authorities, after which police personnel were deployed to maintain order and prevent any potential disruptions.
Subsequently, the mall authorities issued an apology and later honored Fakirappa.
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Why remove Mahatma Gandhi's name, asks Priyanka on move to replace MGNREGA
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed the government over its move to change the name of MGNREGA, asking what is the government's intention behind removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi who is the tallest leader not just in India but in the world.
A bill to repeal the MGNREGA and bring a new law for rural employment -- Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025 -- is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha. According to a copy of the bill, it seeks to introduce the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, in Parliament and repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005.
Asked about the government's move, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Whenever the name of a scheme is changed there are so many changes that have to be made in offices, stationery... for which money is spent. So, what is the benefit, why it is being done?"
"Why is Mahatma Gandhi's name being removed. Mahatma Gandhi is considered the tallest leader not just in the country but in the world, so removing his name, I really don't understand what is the objective? What is their intention?" she told reporters in Parliament House complex.
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"Even when we are debating it is on other issues not the real issues of the people. Time is being wasted, money is being wasted, they are disrupting themselves," Priyanka Gandhi added.
The bill aims at establishing a "rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047", by providing a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment in every financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work.
The bill has been listed in the Lok Sabha in the supplementary list of business issued on Monday.
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the statement of purpose of the Bill, said MGNREGA has provided guaranteed wage-employment to rural households over the past 20 years.
However, "further strengthening has become necessary in view of the significant socio-economic transformation witnessed in the rural landscape driven by widespread coverage of the social security interventions and saturation-oriented implementation of major government schemes", he said.
#WATCH | दिल्ली: कांग्रेस सांसद प्रियंका गांधी वाड्रा ने MGNREGA का नाम बदले जाने पर कहा, "...वे महात्मा गांधी का नाम क्यों हटा रहे हैं? वे इस देश के, इतिहास के और दुनिया के सबसे बड़े नेता माने जाते हैं। मुझे समझ नहीं आ रहा इसके पीछे इनकी(सरकार की) मंशा क्या है? सदन चल नहीं रहा।… pic.twitter.com/gp5wNLllDu
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