Report linking Kalkuli Vittal Hegde, Kadidal Shamanna to Naxalism: Two scribes fined
Chikmagaluru: Sringeri First Sessions Court on Friday slapped a fine of Rs 20000 each on two journalists on charges of publishing a defamatory report on environmental activist Kalkuli Vittal Hegde and farmers leader Kadidal Shamanna linking them with naxal activities.
The court has fined an editor and residential editor of a state level newspaper.
On June 3, 2007, Hosadiganta newspaper has published the report on its front page against Kalkuli Vittal Hegde and Kadidal Shamanna under the headline 'Kalkuli Vittal Hegde, Kadidal Shamanna have naxal links: Here is proof', alleging that they have naxal links.
Against the report, Hegde moved the court and filed a defamation case saying that it was a false news. By making a news, the newspaper has tarnished his image and insulted him, he complained.
After a prolonged hearing of the case, judge S Suryanarayan, on January 25, 2019, had announced the verdict citing that the editor of the newspaper have failed to prove their version of the news. Based on publishing the defamatory news, the court opined that newspaper editor Du Ga Lakshman and resident editor S Shantaram have done cognizable offence under IPC Section 500, 501 and 502.
For this case, the court has slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 to each of the journalists and if they failed to pay the penalty, the journalists have to undergo seven months imprisonment. Moreover, the photo published in the newspaper was taken in 1998 and during that time, there was no naxal movement in Malnad region. That photo was taken during public awareness meetings related to Kudremukh National Park issue. Parvathi who was with Vittal Hegde and Shamanna, in that photo, was not involved in naxal movement at that time, the court observed in its verdict.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
US raises human rights concerns with Bangladesh's interim government
Dhaka: The United States has addressed human rights concerns with Bangladesh's interim government, amid ongoing tensions with India over attacks on minorities. In a phone conversation on Monday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus discussed the protection of human rights, though the official accounts of the discussion varied significantly.
The White House released a statement asserting that both leaders expressed their commitment to safeguarding human rights for all individuals, regardless of religion. However, Bangladesh's version of the discussion made no mention of human rights, instead describing the conversation as centred on "mutual interests."
A diplomatic source indicated that minority-related issues were broadly discussed during the talks. Sullivan reaffirmed the US's support for a stable, democratic, and prosperous Bangladesh and commended Yunus's leadership.
The divergence in narratives has drawn attention, with the US highlighting human rights while Dhaka appeared to downplay the subject. This comes against the backdrop of Dhaka frequently dismissing reports of minority attacks as "media exaggeration."
