Two domes on controversial Mysuru bus stand roof taken down overnight
Mysuru: Two of the domes on the roof of the bus stand by the Mysuru – Nanjangud Road that had triggered controversy, including a clash between two BJP leaders, were demolished on Saturday night as ordered by Krishnaraja MLA S A Ramadas.
The ‘new look of the bus stand’, with three domes, had led Ramadas and Mysuru MP Prathap Simha to have a cold war for about a month. This, in turn, is learned to have led to dissatisfaction among the people.
Ramadas had gotten the three domes installed on the roof of the bus stand in his constituency reportedly with Rs 10 lakh from the MLA fund.
Prathap Simha, however, said that the domes looked like the tops of mosques (gumbaz). He also demanded that the domes be cleared off the roof of the bus stand, and warned that he would do so personally if the concerned persons did not.
Ramadas not only clarified that the new design was inspired by the Mysore Palace and not Muslim architecture but, as the clash continued, he got posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and the Suttur Mutt pontiff put up on the walls of the bus stand. He also got the golden-colored domes, painted red, in an attempt to stop the MP from creating further controversy.
Prathap Simha, however, is learned to have pressed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials to issue notice to the Mysuru City Corporation and the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) to respond to the matter of the domes that had given rise to controversy on communal lines within a week’s time.
Meanwhile, the MP, displaying the blueprint of the bus stand, is learned to have pushed his deadline by a week. He is also said to have utilized the debate on social media regarding the controversial matter for his political gains.
MLA Ramadas too is said to have complained to the chief minister, asking for an inspection by technical authorities.
Following such developments, bowing before the suggestions of the party seniors, the legislator is to have gotten two of the domes pulled down from the roof of the bus stand, retaining the dome at the Centre.
Ramadas has told the citizens in a press release issued on Sunday that he took the decision to demolish the two domes to prevent any further problems or possible clashes.
“I wish to focus on the progress of the constituency rather than on religion, caste, creed, or community, as I have been doing for the last 30 years of my political career. As I find that the domes, which were designed on the lines of the Mysore Palace, made way for controversy, I go by the advice given by the seniors. I have decided that only the middle dome on the roof of the bus stand be in place, while the other two will be pulled down. I do not wish the bus stand, constructed as a facility for the public, to have a black mark of any sort,” the legislator has clarified in the press release.
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25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar
Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.
He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.
It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.
"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.
Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.
The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.
Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.
