Udupi in-charge minister calls Hindu activist Sulibele a ‘liar'
Udupi district is witnessing a political row after district in-charge minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Friday accused Hindu activist and author Chakravarthy Sulibele of spreading 'lies' and warned against attempts to disturb communal harmony during his upcoming public events.
Hebbalkar, addressing reporters in Udupi, said, 'Udupi is a district of peace lovers. No one should be allowed to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere.' She added that while the Congress supports freedom of expression and constitutional values, it does not condone hate speech.
Her remarks came a day after Kundapur police served Sulibele a notice ahead of his three-day lecture series at Mogaveera Bhavana in Kundapur from June 20 to 22. The event, organised by Yuva Brigade, is themed 'Let us rest only after making a unified greater India' (Akhand Bharat).
Sulibele is scheduled to speak at 6 pm on all three days.
The police advisory instructs Sulibele to restrict his speech to the announced topic and avoid political commentary. Organisers have also been directed to provide details of guests and ensure compliance with Supreme Court guidelines regarding public gatherings. The responsibility for maintaining peace has been placed on the organisers.
The police action follows a memorandum submitted by local leaders of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), who urged officials not to grant permission for the event.
Reacting to the notice, Sulibele described it as an attempt to curtail his freedom of expression. In a statement, he said, 'Is there a new law in Karnataka banning people from speaking about politics? By that logic, I cannot refer to Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi—or even Ghazni, Ghori and Aurangzeb.' He termed the development 'disturbing' and claimed it violated the constitutional right to free speech.
Police have so far not indicated any formal restrictions on the event but reiterated that any deviation from approved topics or incitement to disharmony would invite legal action.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Sonia Gandhi hits out at India's ‘silence' as Israel bombs Iran, blasts Netanyahu, Trump
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday called on the Centre to comment on the Israel-Palestine and Israel-Iran conflicts, saying India's silence represents not just a loss of voice but also 'a surrender of values'. India News In an article in 'The Hindu', Sonia Gandhi alleged that the Indian government was earlier silent on Israel's offensive in Gaza, and is doing the same during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Congress veteran also accused the government of abandoning India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel. "New Delhi's silence on the devastation in Gaza and now on the unprovoked escalation against Iran reflects a disturbing departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions. This represents not just a loss of voice but also a surrender of values," Sonia Gandhi wrote in the article. Her opinion piece comes days after the external affairs ministry expressed deep concern after Israel launched waves of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. Emphasising that India could still speak on the two key global issues, Sonia said India should use every diplomatic channel to promote a return to dialogue in West Asia. She also said that in the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, "the Narendra Modi government has all but abandoned India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, one that envisions a sovereign, independent Palestine living side-by-side with Israel in mutual security and dignity." Defending Iran's sovereignty in light of Israel's "troubling and unlawful" strikes on June 13, Sonia said the world has "witnessed the dangerous consequences of unilateral militarism". Drawing parallels with the situation in Gaza for nearly two years now, the Congress leader alleged that Israel struck parts of Iran with utter disregard to civilian lives. However, when Israel struck Iran, it said it targeted nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. "These actions will only deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict," she noted, adding that Congress has condemned these bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil. 'Iran a long-standing friend' As she called on the government to voice its opinion on the Israel-Iran conflict, Sonia Gandhi spoke highly of the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying the country has been a long-standing friend to India. "It has a history of steadfast support, including in Jammu and Kashmir at crucial junctures. In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue," she noted. "Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been much more cooperative with India than its predecessor, the Imperial State of Iran, that had tilted towards Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars," she added. Referring to the India-Israel strategic relations in recent decades, she said, "This unique position gives our country the moral responsibility and the diplomatic leverage to act as a bridge for de-escalation and peace." She also brought attention to a significant number of Indian nationals living and working across West Asia, and how a conflict there affects their lives too. Big attack on Netanyahu, Trump Lashing out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sonia Gandhi alleged that the government led by him "has a long and unfortunate record of undermining peace and nurturing extremism". She alleged that given the record, "it is not surprising that Netanyahu would choose escalation over engagement". After the Israel-Iran conflict began on June 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Israeli counterpart and conveyed India's concerns about the situation in West Asia. He had called for the early restoration of peace in the region. Sonia Gandhi also slammed US President Donald Trump, who has taken a tough stance against Iran amid the ongoing conflict, and is deliberating on whether the US military would step in. She referred to Trump calling his own director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard 'wrong' in saying that the US believed Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, and said his remark was "deeply disappointing". "Israel's recent actions against Iran have taken place in an atmosphere of impunity, enabled by near-unconditional support from powerful western nations," Gandhi said.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
‘Disturbing departure from moral, diplomatic traditions': Sonia Gandhi slams India's silence on Israel offensive in Gaza, Iran
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday criticised India's silence on Israel's offensive in Gaza and Iran as 'not just a loss of its voice, but also a surrender of values'. In an article published in The Hindu titled 'It is still not too late for India's voice to be heard', Gandhi said the Narendra Modi government had abandoned India's 'long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution' envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel. 'It is still not too late. India must speak clearly, act responsibly, and use every diplomatic channel available to defuse tensions and promote a return to dialogue in West Asia,' wrote Gandhi in the article. She also criticised US President Donald Trump for following a 'destructive path' in West Asia, after having spoken against America's endless wars. 'What is deeply regrettable is that the U.S. President Donald Trump — who once spoke out against America's endless wars and the influence of the military-industrial complex — now appears willing to follow this destructive path,' she wrote. 'New Delhi's silence on the devastation in Gaza and now on the unprovoked escalation against Iran reflects a disturbing departure from our moral and diplomatic traditions. This represents not just a loss of voice but also a surrender of values,' the Congress leader said in her article. She also said that in the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, 'the Narendra Modi government has all but abandoned India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, one that envisions a sovereign, independent Palestine living side-by-side with Israel in mutual security and dignity'. Gandhi noted that on June 13, 2025, the world has, once again, 'witnessed the dangerous consequences of unilateral militarism when Israel launched a deeply troubling and unlawful strike against Iran and its sovereignty'. She said the Indian National Congress has condemned these bombings and targeted assassinations on Iranian soil, which represents a dangerous escalation with grave regional and global consequences. 'As with so many of Israel's recent actions, including its brutal and disproportionate campaign in Gaza, this operation was executed with utter disregard for civilian lives and regional stability. These actions will only deepen instability and sow the seeds of further conflict,' she wrote. Gandhi also alleged that the current Israeli leadership under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'has a long and unfortunate record of undermining peace and nurturing extremism'. She claimed that given the record, 'it is not surprising that Netanyahu would choose escalation over engagement'. Referring to the US President, she said, Trump's June 17 statement dismissing its own intelligence chief's assessment and claiming that Iran was 'very close' to acquiring nuclear weapons is 'deeply disappointing'. 'The world expects and needs leadership that is grounded in facts and driven by diplomacy, and not by force or falsehoods,' she said. Gandhi said Iran has been a long-standing friend to India and is bound to us by deep civilisational ties. 'It has a history of steadfast support, including in Jammu and Kashmir at crucial junctures. In 1994, Iran helped block a resolution critical of India at the UN Commission on Human Rights on the Kashmir issue,' she noted. 'Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been much more cooperative with India than its predecessor, the Imperial State of Iran, that had tilted towards Pakistan in the 1965 and 1971 wars,' she added. Mentioning the India-Israel strategic relations in recent decades, she said, 'This unique position gives our country the moral responsibility and the diplomatic leverage to act as a bridge for de-escalation and peace.' 'This is not simply an abstract principle. Lakhs of Indian citizens are living and working across West Asia, which makes peace in the region an issue of vital national interest,' she said. 'Israel's recent actions against Iran have taken place in an atmosphere of impunity, enabled by near-unconditional support from powerful western nations,' Gandhi added. She said that the Congress had unequivocally condemned the 'absolutely horrific and totally unacceptable attacks' by Hamas on October 7, 2023, but 'we cannot remain silent in the face of Israel's catastrophic and disproportionate response'. 'More than 55,000 Palestinians have lost their lives. Entire families, neighbourhoods, and even hospitals have been obliterated. Gaza stands on the brink of famine, and its civilian population continues to suffer unspeakable hardship,' she added.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Priyank Kharge questions MEA's ‘U-turn' on clearance for US trip: 'Chronology samajhiye…'
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday criticised the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for what he called a 'U-turn' on its earlier denial of political clearance for his official visit to the United States. Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said the clearance was finally granted on June 19 – 36 days after his initial application and five days after his scheduled departure.(File) Taking to social media platform X, Priyank Kharge said the clearance was finally granted on June 19 – 36 days after his initial application and five days after his scheduled departure. 'So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States,' Kharge said, questioning the delay and motives behind the initial rejection. Earlier, the Congress leader also claimed he had applied on May 15 for clearance to travel between June 14 and 27 to represent the Karnataka government at two global forums – BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco – along with over 25 meetings with major companies, universities, and institutions to pitch for investments and collaborations. Kharge alleged that his original request, which included officers as part of the delegation, was denied on June 4 without any official explanation. A revised application for officers alone was approved on June 11. A subsequent request for clearance of KEONICS Chairman only was cleared on June 14. "Chronology samajhiye," he remarked in his post, laying out the sequence of applications and decisions. 'Application for Minister + Officers Delegation made on 15 May — rejected on 4 June. Application for Officers Delegation without Minister on 6 June — cleared on 11 June. Application for KEONICS Chairman only on 12 June — cleared on 14 June. My application was denied without any official explanation. On 19 June, I addressed a press conference, laying out the full chronology, questioning the basis of the denial and raising concerns about possible political interference. The matter was widely reported in the media. By the evening of the same day, the MEA revoked its earlier denial and issued a No Objection clearance dated 19 June,' Kharge said a lengthy post. '36 days after my original application, 15 days after the official denial and 5 days after my scheduled departure, they 'revoke' their previous decision,' the Congress leader added. Questioning 'why was the clearance denied in the first place', Kharge argued that most of the key engagements were either already concluded or nearing completion. "What is the point of granting clearance after the key events are either over or nearing completion?" he asked, demanding accountability. Kharge had earlier written to external affairs minister S Jaishankar, seeking a formal clarification on the denial of political clearance for his scheduled official visit to the US. Taking to social media platform 'X' on Friday, he said he has written to Jaishankar, seeking clarity on why political clearance for his official visit to the US was denied. "I do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of Karnataka, to whom I am duty-bound. The visit was aimed at strengthening collaborations, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities for the state," he said. Kharge expressed that denying a Cabinet minister and the "custodian of one of the world's largest technology clusters", the ability to carry out such official responsibilities without explanation, raises serious concerns. It was not only against the interests of the state but also undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism. In his letter dated June 19, Kharge stated that participation in such visits are aligned with the national priorities and would have directly supported the larger vision of Viksit Bharat laid out by the Prime Minister. (With inputs from PTI)
