R. Ashok alleges disrespect to Governor during joint session; seeks action after video review
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Friday accused the state government of showing disrespect to the Governor during his address to the joint session of the Legislature and demanded action against those responsible after reviewing video footage of the incident.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Ashoka questioned claims that BJP members had torn the clothes of Legislative Council member B.K. Hariprasad during the commotion. “If Hariprasad’s kurta was torn, who did it? Those who blocked the Governor and clashed with marshals were Congress members. Yet, the blame is being put on the BJP,” he said, urging the authorities to verify the footage and take action against the guilty.
Ashoka also rejected allegations from the ruling party that the Governor had disrespected the national anthem. He argued that it was the government’s responsibility to arrange the anthem, not the Governor’s. “The Governor concluded his speech and left after saying ‘Jai Hind’. He was made to leave alone, without anyone accompanying him. Portraying this as him ‘running away’ is unfair,” he said, referring to comments attributed to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil.
The opposition leader maintained that while governments may come and go, legislative traditions and rules must be upheld. He demanded that action be taken against ruling party members for the alleged disrespect shown to the Governor, similar to past instances where BJP legislators were suspended.
Joining the debate, BJP leader Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan said the Speaker must protect the dignity of the House. Citing Assembly rules, he said those who disrupted the Governor’s address should face action in the next session, and called for a resolution condemning the incident along with an apology to the Governor.
Responding from the treasury benches, ruling party member K.M. Shivalingegowda said the government had welcomed the Governor with due respect but objected to what he termed disrespect to the national anthem while the Governor was leaving. He downplayed the obstruction, saying it did not amount to a serious offence.
Speaker U. T. Khader later said written complaints had been received from both sides the ruling party alleging disrespect to the national anthem, and the opposition alleging disrespect to the Governor. He said the matter would be examined and a ruling would be given, adding that the House should focus on discussion rather than personal hostility.
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Journey of Viksit Bharat@2047 a 'maritime voyage': Navy chief
Ranchi (PTI): Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi on Friday equated Viksit Bharat @2047 to maritime voyage, emphasising that the world's economies, including India's, rely heavily on oceans for trade and growth.
Addressing students at the CCL's Darbhanga House conference hall, he said that 90 per cent of the world's EXIM trade occurs through the seas, and 95 per cent of India's trade volume is carried by sea routes, making the oceans the primary medium for achieving Viksit Bharat @2047.
"Viksit Bharat @2047 is no longer just a policy; it has now become a reality, and clear milestones have been set to achieve the target. As we know, 95 per cent of our trade occurs via sea routes, and around 90 per cent of the world's trade volume depends on them. We are geographically blessed as our country is surrounded by oceans on three sides, and it is our responsibility to keep them free from any deterrence," he said.
The Indian Navy is the first responder in the Indian Ocean region and is being recognised as such by the world today, Admiral Tripathi said.
"The blue economy currently contributes only 4 per cent to our economy, which is very small, and it should be augmented to double digits to align with the vision of Viksit Bharat," the Navy chief stressed.
Another important fact is that 88 per cent of our energy requirements come from seas, and if crude oil prices increase by USD one per metric tonne, India ends up paying an extra Rs 10,000 crore, he said, adding this is the kind of impact that makes maritime domain security so important.
He said, "When an earthquake struck Myanmar, we were the first to reach there with 500 tonne of relief material. Similarly in Sri Lanka, we had delivered 1,000 tonne of relief material."
The main role of the Indian Navy is warfighting, but deterrence comes first before reaching that point, Admiral Tripathi said.
He further said that even a small disruption in sea routes can have a massive impact.
The Navy chief underscored the critical importance of maritime security, warning that even minor disruptions in sea routes can have far-reaching economic and strategic consequences for India and the world.
Citing the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, he said actions by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea severely disrupted global cargo movement, forcing shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal, Asia's shortest route to Europe, and resulting in a nearly 700 per cent rise in shipping costs on some alternative routes.
The Navy chief also pointed out that modern digital life depends heavily on secure seas, noting that nearly 99 per cent of global internet data travels through undersea fibre-optic cables.
"If oceans are central to India's development, then the responsibility of keeping them open, safe, and secure lies with the Indian Navy," he said.
Urging students to focus on skill development, character, civic sense, and lifelong learning, he cited World Economic Forum projections that skills will matter more than degrees in the future.
He emphasised that Viksit Bharat @2047, which targets USD 30 trillion economy can only be achieved through collective effort and people's participation.
"The vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 has many milestones apart from an economy of USD 30 trillion. It includes the goals of 100 per cent literacy, access to universal healthcare facilities, quality education for all, leadership in the field of innovation, and complete self-reliance," he said.
Admiral Tripathi said security and development go hand in hand, describing India's journey as one from dependence to confidence and from imports to innovation.
On operational matters, he said the Navy's primary role is deterrence and added that Operation Sindoor is continuing.
He added that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cyber warfare have already been integrated into naval operations, given the technology-intensive nature of modern maritime warfare.
