Bengaluru : " I do not have any political aspirations. But, if pressurised I am ready to plunge into politics. It has its own responsibilities and I would not like to shrug them off," said noted multi-lingual actor Prakash Rai.
He was speaking after receiving the Man of the year Award conferred on him by the Press Club here on December 31, Sunday. "Karnataka's capital Bengaluru is also known as Bendakaluru. No scope must be given for peace disruptors to have their way here. No scope must also be given to those who do not belong here to come here and rule us. We must question them and crush the forces that disrupt peace by passing information about them" said Prakash.
"I was disturbed after journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder. It brought much changes in me. Later I began to speak not just as an actor but as a citizen of this nation. Several have criticised me, some even personally,. I do not differentiate between anyone. I have raised several questions through the hash tag Just Asking. I am not in favour of any party," Prakash Rai clarified.
"I have got wealth, success and everything in life. I have raised my conscience through my interactions with my Gurus- Lankesh, Tejaswi and others. This is why I am questioning the present state of affairs," said Rai.
"Today India is haunted by casteist politics. There is dictatorship in a democratic land. Everyone must raise voice against it. Even journalists are living in an atmosphere of fear. Efforts are underway to silence the voices of journalists who raise voice against injustice, oppression and dictatorship. Therefore, as an artiste I am responding to the society. Everyone must fight against injustice," Prakash Rai said.
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Bengaluru (PTI): Two men involved in the sale of electric vehicles in the city have been arrested for allegedly defrauding several people by offering two-wheelers at subsidised rates, claiming the benefit was under a central government scheme, police said on Saturday.
The accused have been identified as Hanumantha Bilkar and Rakesh, they said.
Police said an investigation was initiated after receiving two complaints against at the Peenya and Bagalagunte police stations last month.
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According to police, the accused convinced people to buy electric two-wheelers by claiming that they were available at subsidised rates under a central government scheme.
"However, no such scheme exists. The accused allegedly arranged loans in the names of the buyers and had the loan amounts credited to their companies, as per the complaints," a senior police officer said.
Police said the accused got loans sanctioned for nearly double the price of the vehicles and told buyers they only needed to pay the last three to four EMIs, while the 'companies' would pay the remaining instalments.
Initially, the 'companies' paid the EMIs but later stopped doing so, after which banks and finance firms began demanding payments from the buyers, they said.
The officer said the accused sourced parts of electric two-wheelers from Delhi, assembled them in Bengaluru and sold the vehicles through their showrooms.
He added that loans were taken in the names of several people and the investigation is ongoing.
"While vehicles were delivered to many buyers, the companies allegedly stopped paying the EMIs as promised. An investigation is underway to ascertain how many more people were cheated through this fake scheme," he added.
