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The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Group of over 200 demands Tribal Welfare Department to urgently address violations faced by tribals in Nagarahole
Representatives of a solidarity group of 206 social and environmental organisations, lawyers, academics, and other professionals, submitted a joint memorandum to Randeep D., Principal Secretary, Tribal Welfare Department, and Yogesh, Director, Tribal Welfare Department, to urgently address the alleged ongoing violation of forest and tribal rights at Karadikallu, Nagarahole, where 150 Jenu Kuruba adivasis are facing 'forced eviction' in violations of the Forest Rights Act. The members of the solidarity group include groups such as India Labour Solidarity (U.K.-based), Food Sovereignty Alliance, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Community Network Against Protected Areas, Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan, Fridays For Future India, National Alliance of People's Movements, and Students for Peoples Democracy, as well as activists including Meera Sanghamitra, Clifton D'Rozario, Yuvan Aves, and Disha A. Ravi. Signatories also include academics from IIT Madras, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, National Law School of India University, and Azim Premji University. The collective submitted this letter in light of the tense situation that has been unfolding at Karadikallu Hattur Kollehaadi, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, since May 5 after the tribals re-entered the forests 'to reclaim their ancestral land'. 'Over 120 paramilitary troops of the Forest Department, State police, and Special Tiger Protection Force were deployed to intimidate members of the Jenu Kuruba tribe, with threats to evict them forcibly. In addition to this, the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Nagarahole Wildlife division, issued a letter on May 8, citing a supposed May 6 High Court order, later found to have been fabricated, suspending the FRA-related activities, thus asking the Jenu Kuruba families to vacate their ancestral homeland in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve,' said a statement from the collective. The letter by the collective termed it 'a blatant attempt to withhold implementation of the FRA, 2006, amounting to perjury (lying under oath) under criminal law for the tiger reserve authorities, as well as section 3 (g) of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.' According to members of the collective, Mr. Randeep promised to look into the grievances and address them, and was open to sending a delegation to Nagarahole.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Apologise to Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner, Karnataka HC tells BJP MLC
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday orally asked BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar to tender an apology to Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum for his controversial remarks against her. A vacation bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj asked Ravi Kumar to apologise while hearing a petition filed by him seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him in Station Bazar Police Station of Kalaburagi under various provisions of BNS and SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the court orally said, 'These are not the statements to be made and you (Ravi Kumar) have seen what happened in Madhya Pradesh and the Supreme Court, with a sitting minister, you are no different. You cannot be making such kind of statements.' The court asked the petitioner's counsel to advise his client to speak to the DC to bring a closure to the matter and mitigate it. Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for Ravi Kumar submitted that an apology had been made by his client. Then the court said that after making the apology, it has to be accepted by the person.
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
K'taka: Congress delegation meets Guv, demands action against BJP MLC on Pakistan remarks
Bengaluru: A delegation of Karnataka Congress Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) submitted a complaint to the Governor on Thursday, demanding legal and constitutional action against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for allegedly calling Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum "a Pakistani". The delegation further demanded action against the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, for comparing RDPR, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge to a 'dog.' The delegation, led by the Leader of the House in the Legislative Council, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology, N.S. Boseraju and Chief Whip Saleem Ahmad met the Governor and submitted the complaint. Speaking to reporters, Minister Boseraju said, 'BJP MLCs N. Ravikumar and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy have made unconstitutional statements in public. In a democracy, such remarks are unacceptable. While BJP leaders claim to stand for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' their actions are divisive.' They have made it a habit to make statements against the Constitution. Narayanaswamy's derogatory comments against the Dalit community warrant his expulsion from the Council. We have urged the Governor to take legal and constitutional action against Ravikumar for his offensive remarks about a public officer, he demanded. Chief Whip Saleem Ahmad said that the Congress delegation submitted two complaints to the Governor — one against N. Ravikumar and another against Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Opposition Leader in the Council. 'Narayanaswamy has made irresponsible and unconstitutional remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge, while Ravikumar has questioned whether an IAS officer (Fouzia Taranum) came from Pakistan. Such behaviour is highly condemnable. We have urged the Governor to suspend both of them. Their statements are spreading a dangerous message in society,' he said, adding that the Governor assured an inquiry into the matter. The Congress delegation included MLCs Vasanth Kumar, Anil Kumar M.L., Jagadev Guttedar, S. Ravi, D.T. Srinivas, Dinesh Gooligowda, Channaraj Hattiholi, Basavangouda Badarli, Puttanna, Naseer Ahmad, Govindaraju, Nagaraj Yadav, and Manjunath Bhandari. The remark made by BJP MLC and Opposition Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, N. Ravikumar, calling Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum a "Pakistani" had triggered a controversy in Karnataka. The Kalaburagi Police have lodged an FIR against Ravikumar in connection with the incident, are preparing to initiate legal action against him. They have issued a notice to appear before them for questioning. Since he has been booked under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which is non-bailable, the police have the authority to arrest him at any time. Police have booked Ravikumar under various Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 197 (acts likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups), 224 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 302 (injuring religious sentiments), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty). The police have also booked Ravikumar under Section 3 (1) (r) of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Excise constable gets 5-yr jail for assaulting woman SI
Kendrapada: Additional district-cum-special judge, Jagatsinghpur, on Tuesday sentenced an excise department constable to five years of imprisonment for assaulting a woman sub-inspector in 2013. Manoj Kumar Parida (42) was found guilty of grievously hurting the 25-year-old SI at her rented accommodation in Jagatsinghpur. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict, failing which his sentence would be extended by two months. According to the FIR filed by the SI at Jagatsinghpur police station, Parida had assaulted her on July 8, 2013, causing serious head injuries. She also accused him of molestation. Following the complaint, police arrested Parida and filed charges under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman), 325 (grievous hurt) of the IPC, and Section 3 of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Judge Haraprasad Patnaik, after examining testimonies from 15 witnesses including the victim, convicted Parida under Section 325 of IPC and Section 3 of the SC/ST Act. "The court relied on the evidence presented by the victim and other witnesses before pronouncing the verdict," said public prosecutor Suresh Chandra Das. Parida was, however, acquitted of charges under sections 307 and 354 of the IPC due to lack of evidence.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
FIR lodged against Karnataka BJP leader for calling Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner 'Pakistani'
Kalaburagi (Karnataka): Karnataka Police have lodged an FIR against BJP MLC and Opposition Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, N. Ravikumar, for making objectionable remarks against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum. The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Dattatreya, a social activist from Kalaburagi city, on Monday. Police have booked Ravikumar under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including Section 197 (acts likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups), 224 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 302 (injuring religious sentiments), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty). The police have also booked Ravikumar under Section 3 (1) (r) of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The development is likely to trigger a controversy. According to the FIR, Ravikumar allegedly questioned whether Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum belongs to India or Pakistan. He is also accused of stating that, being a Muslim, she is incapable of showing loyalty and trust to the Indian Constitution due to her religion. The complainant further alleged that Ravikumar made derogatory comments against three police officers—Chandrashekara Tigadi, Nataraja Naade, and Shankaragouda Patil—stating that they are incapable of performing their duties. Ravikumar reportedly remarked that he was unsure whether Kalaburagi is in Karnataka or Pakistan. It is alleged that Ravikumar issued threats against Minister Priyank Kharge and police officials, thereby obstructing them from performing their duties. He also allegedly attempted to spread panic among the public and incite them against a particular caste and religion. Ravikumar is further accused of spreading hatred against Muslims and insulting police officers by referring to them as "slaves." He also reportedly threatened Minister Priyank Kharge and members of the community, insulting and intimidating them. These statements were allegedly made on May 24 in front of the office of the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner, according to the FIR.
