Bengaluru: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness about organ donation. The initiative, titled DHATHRU, Donating Humanity and Transplanting Hope, was officially inaugurated on Friday by the Vice-Chancellor of RGUHS, Dr. Bhagawan B C.

The campaign began with 336 staff members of the university coming together on a single platform to voluntarily take the organ donation pledge. By personally pledging to donate his organs, Dr. Bhagawan B C formally launched the campaign. 

Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor said, “As members of the medical profession, we understand the value and purpose of saving lives. I would like to remind you of this responsibility and moral duty.”

He further emphasized the role of the healthcare fraternity in inspiring the larger society to take up the cause. “As part of this mission, we should lead by example by pledging to donate organs. With your support, this campaign can become a model initiative across the nation. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Each one of us must commit to turning this noble intention into reality,” he said.

The campaign will run until September 30, 2025, and is aimed at encouraging not only university staff but also students of RGUHS and its affiliated colleges to take the pledge. 

The launch event was attended by the Deans, Senate, Syndicate, and Academic Council members of the university.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.

He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.

Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send a message that "Muslims are being targeted."

"I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi," he said.

Speaking to reporters, he added, "People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline."

Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers and all sections of society.

The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of CM’s political secretary.

The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.

Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.

The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun. They were also said to have not actively participated in campaigning.

Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to CM Siddaramaiah were being targeted.

Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the chief minister.

Rejecting allegations of factions within the party, Shivakumar said, "We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?"

"All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress," he added, saying there are no factions within the party and such claims are media-driven.

PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.

Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.

"We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together," he said.