Latest news with #Brahmakalashotsava
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Temple committee apologises to Muslims hurt by Belthangady MLA's remarks
The trust managing Gopalakrishna Temple at Bhattarabailu in Tekkar village of Belthangady taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, has apologised to Muslims who were hurt by the alleged hate speech made by Belthangady MLA, Harish Poonja, during the 'dharmika sabha' programme of temple's Brahmakalashotsava function on May 3. The MLA reportedly blamed a section of the Muslims for damaging some tubelights put up by the Brahamkalashotsava organising committee. The MLA questioned the organising committee members for inviting Muslims for the event. Following a complaint, the Uppinangady police filed a case against the MLA on May 4, charging him of making an inflammatory speech. Mr. Poonja was booked under Section 353(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In a May 5 letter to the temple trust, members of the local Muslim Okkoota expressed unhappiness over the allegation made by the MLA. 'We have been living in harmony with all communities and participating in each other's festivities. The baseless comment by the MLA, who represents all communities, deeply hurt us. Hence, we expressed our anguish with the trust through the letter,' Abdul Razak, president of Tekkar Gram Panchayat and organising secretary of Muslim Okkoota, Saralikatte, Tekkar, told The Hindu. Following a meeting with members of the Okkoota on May 7, the trust issued a letter on the same day, apologising to the Muslim community for adverse comments made during the Dharmika Sabha programme. Thanking the community members for their active participation in the Brahmakalashotsava, the trust said it wanted all communities to continue with living in harmony in the future. Meanwhile, speaking to presspersons in Mangaluru on May 5, the MLA justified his speech. Mr. Poonja said that he only 'awakened the Hindu society' through his words. The government interpreted it as communal and inflammatory.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MLA Harish Poonja flays govt for FIR against him
Mangaluru: Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja said he is ready to confront any number of FIRs, even up to 100, in his continued support for Hindu society and Hindu activists . He was reacting to an FIR registered by the Uppinangady police for delivering a provocative speech at a stage programme of Brahmakalashotsava of Sri Gopalakrishna temple in Thekkar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Regardless of the number of legal cases filed against me for defending the Hindu community, I remain undeterred. Following the Congress' ascent to power, I was slapped with nine cases, all of which I am addressing. My speech at Thekkar was intended to raise awareness within the Hindu community. Subsequently, the police registered an FIR against me. Hindu community acknowledged my message. I do not require validation from others," Poonja told reporters.
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
As communal pot boils in Mangaluru, BJP expresses concern over threats to activists
Karnataka BJP has expressed concern over alleged open threats to Hindu activists in the communally-sensitive coastal region Mangaluru. BJP state unit President, B.Y. Vijayendra, stated on Monday, 'The brutal murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty has shocked the people of Mangaluru district. Citizens across the state are anxious due to the unchecked dominance of communal forces. Amid this, yet another Hindu activist, Bharat Kumdellu, has received death threats through a post on social media.' Hindu activist and history-sheeter Suhas Shetty was murdered on May 1 in Mangaluru. He was the main accused in the murder case of one Mohammad Fazil. Fazil was killed by Suhas Shetty's gang in retaliation for the murder of BJP worker Praveen Kumar Nettaru, who was hacked to death at the height of the hijab row in the state. Vijayendra claimed, "The Congress government continues to fail in fulfilling its moral responsibility. It has taken no legal action to bring law and order under control. The silence of the Home Department and the influence of invisible, powerful 'hands' behind the scenes have become evident through the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty and the subsequent threats." Vijayendra further noted, 'An FIR has been registered against Belthangady BJP MLA, Harish Poonja, based solely on his emotional remarks about the Tekkaru Gopalakrishna Temple and the Brahmakalashotsava ceremony. This makes it clear where the government's loyalties lie.' 'A situation is developing in the coastal region where even elected representatives are no longer safe. If the behaviour of the police and the government's stance continues in the same manner, we caution the government that the pro-people struggle led by BJP Karnataka will only intensify further,' Vijayendra stated. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) senior leader Sharan Pumpwell has lodged a police complaint with Kadri police station in Mangaluru regarding a threat to his life on social media. The post stated that the next target was Sharan Pumpwell and he should get ready. The police have filed an FIR under Sections 351 (4) of the BNS Act over the post. Bharat Kumdel, a Bajrang Dal worker has also been threatened stating that people "have not forgotten Bharat who killed Mohammad Ashraf." The post addressing him stated, 'wait and watch' with a photo of a sword. Mohammad Ashraf was a victim of a recent mob lynching incident for allegedly raising a "Pakistan Zindabad" slogan. On the other hand, Riyaz Kadambu, the leader attached to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has also filed a complaint with the Pandeshwara police station over issuance of a threat to his life. He has stated to the police that while he was on a programme on a YouTube channel, he got a threatening message that he was the next target. The threat had been issued by one K.R. Rakesh and the police are investigating the cases.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP MLA booked for making 'provocative speech' against Muslims at temple event in Karnataka
MANGALURU: A case has been registered against BJP MLA Harish Punja for allegedly making a provocative speech during the Brahmakalashotsava (consecration ceremony) at the Gopalakrishna Temple in Thekkaru village in Dakshina Kannada district. According to the police, complainant Ibrahim S B has alleged that Punja made derogatory remarks against the Muslim community and allegedly attempted to incite communal hatred through his speech. The speech in question was reportedly delivered in the presence of a gathering during the religious event. The complaint stated that the content of the speech could sow discord between religious communities and disturb communal harmony in the region. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case under sections 196 and 352(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the new Indian criminal code that recently replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Case booked against MLA Harish Poonja for provocative speech
Mangaluru: An FIR was registered against Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja for delivering a provocative speech at a function held at a temple in Uppinangady . According to police, the MLA, during the stage programme of the Brahmakalashotsava of Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, delivered a provocative speech on Saturday, targeting the population of another faith. Alleging that his speech aimed at inciting communal hate , Ibrahim of Thekkar submitted a complaint to Uppinangady police station. A case was registered under section 196, 353 (2) of the BNS.
