Latest news with #Yathindra
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bengaluru stampede: No permission was given for the event at Chinnaswamy stadium, says Yathindra
Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Wednesday claimed that the function to felicitate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team players at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was organised without permission. Responding to BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra's allegation that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were responsible for the stampede, the Congress MLC argued that there was no reason for the Chief Minister to be held responsible. 'Had he given permission for the programme at the cricket stadium? No permission was given for the programme. They had organised it without permission, and the police were unable to make 'bundobust' (security arrangements),' he pointed out. He said the stampede, which claimed eleven lives, was 'unfortunate' and the Chief Minister had taken action against the officials who were found prima facie responsible. A judicial inquiry into the stampede is also under way and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty, he said. 'Let the probe be completed. Even before the inquiry, how can anyone be held guilty?' he asked. Mr. Yathindra also sought to know what action had been taken in the BJP-ruled States, where stampedes had taken place. In Karnataka, the Congress government ordered a judicial probe and took action against the officials, who were found to be prima facie at fault. Seeking to know the action taken in either BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, where a stampede had taken place during the recent Kumbh Mela, or Andhra Pradesh, ruled by the BJP's ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP), where a stampede had occurred at Tirupathi, he accused the BJP of 'hypocrisy'. No threat to CM's position Mr. Yathindra also sought to make it clear that there was no threat to Mr Siddaramaiah's position as the Chief Minister. He said the Opposition was making allegations regarding the same for the sake of politics. On Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar visiting Delhi recently, Mr. Yathindra said the main discussion with the Congress leadership pertained to the caste census. As the implementation of the caste survey was promised in the Congress party's election manifesto, the deadlock over the issue had to be resolved, he said while adding that a discussion on the stampede had been held along with it. He clarified that no deadline had been set for Mr. Siddaramaiah's position as Chief Minister. To a question of whether Mr. Siddaramaiah will remain at the helm for the full five-year term, Mr. Yathindra replied in the affirmative.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Yathindra asks people to protect environment by reducing plastic use
Mysuru: Protecting the environment is the foremost responsibility of every citizen, said MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Thursday. Speaking during a sapling planting event organised by Bodhi Vriksha Society for Development and Odanadi Seva Organisation at Varuna Lake on T Narasipur Road to mark World Environment Day, Yathindra emphasised the importance of rejecting plastic and adopting cloth bags as a step towards sustainable living. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Environmental pollution can be significantly reduced by promoting recycling and minimising plastic usage. Everyone must actively participate in conserving nature," he stated. Highlighting the role of trees in combating climate change, Yathindra stressed that increasing green cover will help reduce temperatures and improve air quality. "Planting more trees not only enhances environmental beauty but also ensures cleaner air for future generations," he said. He also urged citizens to make eco-friendly choices in their daily lives. "Reuse household water wherever possible and opt for organic and chemical-free products. Such habits are beneficial for both our health and the planet," he advised. Yathindra expressed concern about the environmental degradation occurring in the name of development. "We are witnessing the destruction of trees. Instead, let us celebrate personal milestones by planting trees. Gifting saplings during events and celebrations can be a powerful way to promote sustainability. Preserving the environment is a collective duty. If we care for nature, it will care for us in return," he said.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bengaluru stampede: Congress MLC admits lapses in assessing ground situation
Reacting to the stampede in Bengaluru that claimed 11 lives during the victory celebrations of the RCB cricket team, which won the IPL 2025 trophy, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said that the government was under pressure to felicitate the team, but there were lapses in assessing the ground situation. Speaking to media persons in Mysuru on June 5, the Congress MLC said the event was organised following requests from the cricket franchise, and even the BJP had tweeted in favour of it. The police was vested with the responsibility of assessing the situation. Initially, police did not give consent for the victory parade, but subsequently gave clearance for conducting it at Chinnaswamy stadium. He said there was no problem at the Vidhana Soudha where a State-organised felicitation programme was held. But the turnout at the Chinnaswamy stadium was higher than expected. Against the capacity of nearly 35,000, more than 3 lakh people had turned up. 'There was a lapse in assessing the emerging situation,' said Mr. Yathindra. He dismissed the opposition's demand for resignation of senior ministers, asserting that there was no failure on the part of the Chief Minister or the Deputy CM. ''A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to find out what went wrong, and it will help fix accountability following which suitable action will be initiated,' he said. He said a proposed roadshow in an open bus was cancelled, keeping in mind safety of the RCB team members. Mr. Yathindra terms dubbed the opposition's demand for resignation of ministers as ''hypocritical'. He said the opposition had defended similar incidents in other States ruled by them, and no minister had resigned.
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
'Caste census data would have been digitized even if original report is missing'
Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Monday claimed that the data pertaining to the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, popularly known as the caste census, would likely have been digitized even if the original report were to have gone missing. Fielding reporters' queries with regard to the Opposition leaders' charges on the original report going missing, Mr. Yathindra said the then Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes would give a clarification on the issue. He not only dismissed as 'baseless' the BJP's charges that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had kept the original report with him, but also termed as 'ridiculous' and borne out of 'prejudiced assumptions' the allegations that Mr. Siddaramaiah would do injustice to dominant castes as he belonged to the backward communities. Mr. Yathindra sought to emphasise that the caste census would not do any harm to any caste and sought to dispel the 'misconception' that some communities will be affected if it were to be implemented. Pointing out that the caste census report had sought to increase the percentage of reservation from the existing 32% to 51%, Mr. Yathindra said all the backward classes, including the Vokkaligas and Lingayats would stand to benefit if the report is implemented. Various backward communities had been seeking an increase in the percentage of their reservation in view of the rise in population. Removing the 50% ceiling on reservation was a solution to increasing the quantum of reservation for various backward classes, he said. The percentage need not necessarily be increased in proportion to each community's population, but in accordance with their state of economic backwardness, he said. Mr. Yathindra also sought to make it clear that there was no threat to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's position and dismissed the charges that the caste census report had been released only to politically stabilise him. He said the party is united behind Mr. Siddaramaiah, while the high command is also in his support. Despite the false cases foisted on him, the party leadership, high command, and the party legislators are firmly behind Mr. Siddaramaiah. He said the caste census was his commitment to society. Though the survey was completed during his earlier term as the Chief Minister, the same could not be implemented. However, the party's manifesto in the last Assembly elections had promised its release and the party had come to power on the assurance. He said the party command, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was in favour of conducting the caste census if the party came to power. Hence, the caste census was released, he said. Reacting to questions on the Janivara row, Mr. Yathindra said mistakes had taken place at a few places, and the government had taken appropriate action against the wrongdoers and suitably resolved the grievances of the victims. He said the Congress will ensure religious freedom to everybody and appealed to the BJP against politicising the matter.
