Latest news with #HarishPoonja
The Hindu
10-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Belthangady MLA seeks police action against those spreading false information
Harish Poonja, MLA for Belthangady, has asked police to take action against those spreading false information about the ongoing probe into the alleged burials of several bodies near Dharmasthala. Talking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Poonja said that so far he has not issued a statement on this matter related to his Assembly constituency in order to avoid any disturbance to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The SIT has not divulged any official information regarding the probe, and it has not submitted any interim report to the State government yet. However, the false information being spread about the investigation has been disturbing peace in the society, he said. The police should bookcases suo motu against the false statements being issued about the investigation, both those supporting and those against the probe. Unfortunately, the police have not yet taken effective action against those spreading false information in the matter, he said and urged the State government to take action to maintain law and order in the region. The MLA said around 10 Hindu activists and BJP workers have been named in connection with the group clash at Pangala, in Dharmasthala, on August 6, following the assault of three YouTubers and a cameraman. Claiming that these activists were innocent and the police booked them under pressure from the left parties and SDPI, the MLA urged the police to take rightful action and not create mistrust among people. Hindu activists and BJP workers should not be unnecessarily targeted, he said.
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MLA Harish Poonja accuses police of targeting BJP, Hindu activists in Dharmasthala
MANGALURU: Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja accused the police of targeting BJP and Hindu activists in Dharmasthala, in the name of maintaining law and order. The BJP MLA told reporters that he did not issue statements on the alleged Dharmasthala mass burial case since the SIT investigation was in progress. "During a conflict reported in Dharmasthala recently, I found a failure on the part of the police in maintaining law and order. The police department has the responsibility of booking suo motu cases if they find a law and order issue. However, the police are not registering suo motu cases in the general interest of the public and keeping in mind the harmony in society. They have been booking cases against Hindu activists and BJP workers unnecessarily," the MLA alleged, adding that cases were booked against many BJP and Hindu activists without any reason. He said the BJP will oppose if innocents, especially BJP workers and Hindu activists, are framed through conspiracy. "The BJP will not remain silent if the police target party workers and Hindu activists on the basis of complaints from left organisations and SDPI. I have faith in the Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police that he would put his efforts into maintaining law and order. I also condemn the mentality of Left parties and the SDPI who are tarnishing the image of Hindu religious centres," the MLA said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dhaka:You won't believe the prices of sofas at the clearance furniture store! Sofas | Search Ads Learn More Undo The SIT has not issued an official statement or submitted an interim report to the govt on the ongoing investigation. Hence, the police have the responsibility to act against those who spread fake news to disturb harmony in society by booking suo motu cases, the MLA said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
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.
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Days after communal speech by Karnataka BJP MLA Harish Poonja, temple management expresses regret to Muslim community
A week after BJP MLA Harish Poonja delivered a provocative speech at an event held at a temple in Thekkaru in Karnataka's communally sensitive Dakshina Kannada district, the temple management wrote to the members of the Muslim community in the village expressing regret about the remarks made by the legislator. The management of Thekkaru Temple, under the Gopalkrishna Bhatrabail Devaragudde Seva Trust, held a meeting with Muslim leaders of the village recently. Following the meeting, representatives of the temple wrote to the Muslim Okkoota of the village, saying that words by the legislators had hurt some members of the village. 'The management committee of the temple regrets these words. Along with this, the committee welcomes the cooperation of your community. In the future too, we hope that all communities live by cooperating with each other,' the letter issued by the temple management, dated May 7, read. The letter was in response to the Muslim Okkoota, which had written to the temple management about Poonja's speech on May 3, following which a meeting was held between the leaders from both communities. During the meeting, it was noted that members of the Muslim community had offered donations and provided a parking facility for devotees taking part in the temple renovation event, apart from other assistance. Poonja delivered the controversial speech on the evening of May 3, days after the coastal Dakshina Kannada district witnessed communal tensions following two murders in Mangaluru. While speaking at the temple event, the two-time MLA from Belthangady constituency in the district objected to the temple management inviting Muslim residents of the village to the event at the local mosque. In a speech delivered in Tulu, a language spoken in a few coastal districts of Karnataka, he claimed they had broken tube lights and stolen diesel from generators meant for illumination during the event. In a clip of the speech, Poonja is heard saying, 'Our biggest mistake is taking everyone together in harmony. What was the need for us to go to the mosque and give an invitation? Since you gave the invitation, they broke the tube lights … We should not do a balancing act. We are Hindus and should remain so.' Following this, multiple complaints were filed against the Bharatiya Janata Party leader at various police stations in the Dakshina Kannada district. Poonja was accused of promoting enmity between the Hindu and Muslim communities, and legal action was sought against him.
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.
