‘Week Against Killing Expression’ condemning killings of Kalburgi, Gauri: Raj Bhavan chalo on Sept 5
August 24: Condemning the killings of rationalist and research scholar Dr MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh, Gauri Lankesh Balaga and Gauri Memorial Trust would take out a Raj Bhavan Chalo protest on September 5.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, freedom fighter HS Doreswamy said that rationalists were being targeted across the country and killed them to create fear among people. A big public campaign was organized against such killings. Condemning the killing of Dr MM Kalburgi, ‘Kalburgi Day’ would be observed at Dharwad on August 30. In the same way, Raj Bhavan Chalo would be held on September 5 condemning the murder of Gauri Lankesh and a convention would be conducted at Jnana Jyothi auditorium, he said.
Former minister BT Lalitha Nayak said that Gauri Lankesh, Dr MM Kalburgi, Pansare, Dabholkar and others have not done anything to divide the country. They have believed in pluralism and tried strengthen it further. With their murder, vested interests have gained upper hand against the democracy. It is shocking that the fundamentals have the list of another 60 persons and if they got permission, they are ready to kill 25 among them, she added.
After Modi became the prime minister, communalism, casteism, intolerance, atrocity in the name of cow, exploitation of depressed class, assaults and others criminal activities were on the rise. But till date, the centre has not acted tough against such acts, she alleged.
Trust secretary KL Ashok said that the day when Kalburgi was killed would be observed as Anti-Atrocity Day and hundreds of writers and thinkers including Yogesh Master, KS Bhagavan, Jignesh Mewani and others who have been facing the threat would take part in it. Because of the investigation into the Gauri murder, the truths behind all such killings were coming out now. The Sanatan Sanstha, the main accused in the killings, should be declared as a terrorist group and investigation should be conducted against the funding and supporting the organization. All its activities should be banned, he demanded.
Senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu, Trust president Prof VS Sridhar and others were present.
Major demands
* Sanatan Sanstha should be declared as terrorist organization.
* All activities of Sanatan Sanstha should be banned.
Let PM answer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should answer who is the next target after journalist Gauri Lankesh.
- BT Lalitha Nayak, former minister
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PM Modi has taken 'bold decisions' to combat terrorism, says HD Deve Gowda
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI): Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken "bold decisions" to combat terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam attack and affirmed his and his party's support for all the decisions to end the menace.
"We need to teach the terrorists a lesson. This is the first time that a prime minister has taken such bold steps. No prime minister has given such supreme authority to the army," Deve Gowda said at a press conference.
The Janata Dal (Secular) leader noted Modi implemented several measures, including granting full operational freedom to the Indian Armed Forces to determine the mode, targets and timing of their response.
Founded by Deve Gowda, the Janata Dal (Secular) is a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. His son HD Kumaraswamy is a minister in the Union government.
Deve Gowda noted that the current situation could not be compared to the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, describing them as "different scenarios".
The former prime minister also welcomed the Centre's decision to enumerate caste in the upcoming general census while hitting out at the caste survey conducted in Karnataka.
"Karnataka is indulging in politics in the name of caste census. Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Cabinet does not agree with the caste census conducted in the state," he said.
Deve Gowda said the Karnataka survey had identified 1,351 castes and sub-castes, with the Kurubas being among the prominent backward communities.
He also questioned Siddaramaiah's commitment to his AHINDA platform. "How many staff has he hired from backward communities or his own Kuruba community in his own office?"
The Karnataka caste survey report has recommended reclassifying the Kuruba community from category 2A to the more backward 1B category, reflecting its socio-economic status.
AHINDA represents a significant portion of Karnataka's population, including religious minorities (Muslims and Christians), Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
