Mother-son duo in Bengaluru assault BBMP sanitation workers over garbage dispute
Bengaluru: Five women sanitation workers, known as pourakarmikas, employed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), were assaulted by a mother and her son in Byadarahalli on Wednesday, September 11. The incident occurred after a dispute over garbage collection outside the duo's residence, and the assault was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media.
The Byadarahalli Police have registered an FIR against the accused under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Amendment Ordinance-2014, along with various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to causing injury, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult. The complaint was lodged by Lakshmi C, one of the injured workers.
According to the complaint, the accused, identified as Chandru and his mother, residents of 14th Cross at Bharathnagar in Byadarahalli, approached the sanitation workers while they were cleaning the street. Chandru's mother demanded that the workers clear a pile of garbage outside their house. The workers explained that the waste was too much for them to manage and asked her to wait for the auto tipper that regularly collects large amounts of waste.
However, the situation quickly escalated. Lakshmi reported that Chandru’s mother verbally abused the workers, stating that they were paid with the tax money from their family and called her son to "teach them a lesson," using derogatory remarks about their caste. When Lakshmi attempted to record Chandru's abusive comments, he allegedly snatched her phone, threw it to the ground, and physically assaulted her by pulling her hair, slapping her, and tearing her uniform.
The situation worsened when Lakshmi's colleagues tried to intervene. Chandru, with help from his mother, allegedly assaulted the other workers as well, including hitting Ramakka on the hand and kicking Asha, Munirathna, and Anniyamma. Chandru also issued death threats during the altercation, according to Lakshmi's complaint.
Fearing for their jobs, the sanitation workers refrained from retaliating and instead reported the incident to their superior. Despite this, the verbal and physical abuse continued in the presence of the superior. Eventually, the workers approached the police, leading to Chandru’s detention.
As a result of the attack, Lakshmi's phone, worth Rs 30,000, was damaged, and Ramakka’s bangles were broken. Lakshmi sustained injuries to her back, head, and stomach, while her colleagues suffered minor injuries.
Nirmala M, president of the BBMP Pourakarmika Sangha, condemned the assault, stating, "We are not slaves. We are respected people, and we're just doing our job. Using abusive language and violence against us is unacceptable. We urge the police to take swift action and arrest the accused immediately."
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Cannes winner ‘All We Imagine As Light’ to be released in limited screens in Kerala on Saturday
Mumbai (PTI): Payal Kapadia’s "All We Imagine As Light", the winner of the Grand Prix award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, is set to be released in limited screens across Kerala on Saturday, the makers announced on Thursday.
Production house Spirit Media, founded by "Baahubali" star Rana Daggubati, has acquired the exclusive rights to distribute the Malayalam-Hindi film in India.
The movie, titled “Prabhayay Ninachathellam” in Malayalam, will subsequently be released across all major cities in India. It is an official Indo-French co-production between Chalk and Cheese Films from India and petit chaos from France
Zico Maitra (Chalk and Cheese Films) and Ranabir Das (Another Birth), who also served as the cinematographer on the film, serve as the Indian producers on the movie.
Kapadia, an alumnus of the FTII who charted history by becoming the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix award for "All We Imagine as Light", said she is thrilled to have her film released in India.
“At the heart of the film are two women who come from Kerala to work and realise their life’s ambitions in Mumbai. So, it is only appropriate that the first state to see the film in theatres is to be Kerala. I’m excited for the film to be watched in all parts of India as our release progresses,” the filmmaker said.
"All We Imagine As Light" stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam.
It follows Prabha (Kusruti), a Mumbai nurse whose life is thrown in disarray when she receives a rice cooker from her estranged husband.
Divya Prabha plays Anu, her roommate and colleague, who is struggling to find a private spot in the city to spend time with her boyfriend. Prabha’s best friend Parvati (Kadam), a widow, is being forced out of her home by property developers.
Daggubati said his banner is proud to release the film in the country.
“We are proud to be able to bring this incredible film to audiences in India, starting with Kerala where the two leading characters of the story are from.
"Indian cinema has a rich legacy of storytelling, and this film captures the Indian experience through characters speaking multiple languages coming from different parts of the country with similar shared dreams to a metropolis like Mumbai,” the actor-producer said.
"All We Imagine As Light" made history earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, where it became the first Indian film ever to win the prestigious Grand Prix. It was also the first film from India to make it to the European gala's main competition in 30 years.
The film also features Hridhu Haroon and Azees Nedumangad.
