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New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka to table anti-fake news bill, bolster hate speech laws: Home Minister Parameshwara
MANGALURU: Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Wednesday announced that a bill to curb the spread of fake news will be introduced in the upcoming assembly session. He also said that the state government is working to strengthen existing laws against hate speech. Speaking to reporters after a peace meeting held in Mangaluru in the wake of recent communal murders in Dakshina Kannada district, Dr Parameshwara said the draft legislation targeting fake news is ready and will be tabled in the next legislative session. Responding to allegations by BJP leaders regarding law enforcement's failure to curb illegal cow slaughter and 'Love Jihad', the Home Minister emphasized that the police act only when laws are violated. "If illegal cattle transportation is taking place, it should be reported to authorities. People should not take the law into their own hands. The problem so far has been vigilantism, and that must stop," he said. Dr. Parameshwara described the peace meeting as successful, stating that it aimed to promote communal harmony and bring positive social change. He noted that several region-specific and constructive suggestions were made during the discussion, and the government would consider them in consultation with the Chief Minister and relevant ministers. 'If communal incidents continue, the police will be compelled to take stricter action,' he warned. 'While we are enhancing measures on the law enforcement side—such as deploying the Special Action Force—lasting peace requires a societal change. Public representatives, organisations, and educational institutions must work together toward that goal.' Earlier, while addressing the peace committee meeting, the minister stated that merely posting efficient officers is not enough to restore peace. 'People of the district must unite to bring back the region's past reputation for communal harmony,' he said. He also indicated that restrictions on local festivals might be relaxed. "The district minister will decide on forming village-level communal harmony committees. If civil society agrees, a communal harmony rally can also be organised. Law alone cannot solve every issue—cooperation and a sense of unity are essential,' he said.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Restore harmony by recalling region's glorious past, says Home Minister Parameshwara
Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Wednesday urged the residents of Dakshina Kannada to help restore normalcy by remembering the region's legacy of communal harmony. 'Our children should not grow up in fear,' he said. Chairing the peace committee meeting here, Mr. Parameshwara said the situation has returned to almost normal after the police took stringent measures following the change of guard in the district police and the city commissionerate. 'Having formed the Special Action Force, don't force us to take more stringent steps,' he issued a veiled caution. Agreeing with the majority of the district's elected representatives that it was more of an ideological difference between them (the BJP) and the government (the Congress), Mr. Parameshwara said the differences should not lead to the escalation of communalism. Dakshina Kannada was next only to Bengaluru in GST contribution at 6%, he noted. Deadline for celebrations Referring to legislators' objections to the police direction to wind up public religious celebrations by 11:30 p.m., Mr. Parameshwara asked who was responsible for the police issuing such a guideline. 'We will discuss, and won't be too strict,' he said. Speaking to reporters later, the Minister said that, in total, 38 participants provided their suggestions and opinions. He would discuss them with the district in-charge, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and come up with an action plan. In his introductory address at the meeting, Mr. Rao said the Constitution has provided several fundamental rights, including the freedom of speech and the freedom to form associations. However, they should not be used to incite violence. The government was there to introduce several welfare measures to uplift the oppressed, he said, adding it was also the government's responsibility to maintain law and order strictly. The recent incidents have damaged the social fabric in the region, and the government wants the restoration of peace. There should be dialogue between people and communities; only then peace prevails. 'Let the political agenda [of anyone] not lead to violence in the region,' he said. U.T. Khader, Assembly Speaker; Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP; MLAs, former MLAs, and former Ministers, as well as civil society members and senior government officials, were present.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ideological differences shouldn't lead to Dakshina Kannada being branded a ‘Hindutva laboratory': Capt Chowta
Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP for Dakshina Kannada, on Wednesday, took strong exception to the district being branded as a 'Hindutva laboratory' by those in the State government over their ideological differences with the opposition party. Ideologies should be addressed in accordance with the law, he said. Speaking at the peace committee meeting chaired by Home Minister G. Parameshwara here, Capt. Chowta said: 'I am happy the Home Minister called the meeting, inviting elected representatives at least now. Even the district in-charge Minister did not hold such a meeting so far.' The MP said illegal activities, including sand mafia and drug mafia, were the reasons behind crimes in the region. Educationist and former Vishwa Hindu Parishad office-bearer M.B. Puranik said one should address the root cause of violence, as the situation was like a smouldering ember hidden under ashes. Having been a teacher for the last five decades, he understands Hinduism as a way of life that teaches to respect every life. 'Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavanthu' was the guiding principle of Sanatana Dharma, he said. Stating that temporary mending would not work, Mr. Puranik said children should be taught harmony in schools. No one should poison their minds with the concept of one religion being superior to the other. Harish Poonja, MLA, said he doubted whether children were taught harmony at home, in schools, and in Madrasas. Cows revered by Hindus were slaughtered while Hindu women were being targeted. Proceeds of illegal sand mining and other illegal activities were used to foment communalism, he said. D. Vedavyasa Kamath, MLA, demanded equal treatment for all religions. Stating that peace and harmony were two different subjects, Y. Bharath Shetty, MLA, said crimes were happening because of law and order failure, cow theft, and illegal slaughter were crimes, and if they stop, peace prevails. Former Minister B. Nagaraj Shetty suggested that Mr. Parameshwara entrust the newly formed Special Action Force with the responsibility of dealing with cow thefts, the drug mafia and illegal sand extraction. All the BJP MLAs objected to the recent police guidelines, which asked organisers to wind up public religious celebrations by 11:30 p.m. Police should study the region's practices before issuing guidelines, they said. Demanding a complete curb on hate speeches, Ashok Kumar Rai, MLA, said the police should be used to curb crime and not against religions. Religious rituals were part of life, and the police could not stop them, he said.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Home Minster G. Parameshwara to hold peace committee meeting in Mangaluru on Wednesday
With Dakshina Kannada district witnessing three communal murders between April and May this year, Home Minister G. Parameshwara will chair a peace committee meeting in Mangaluru on Wednesday to thrash out ways to bring harmony in society. The meeting to be held at the Netravathi Auditorium on the zilla panchayat premises from 12 p.m. would be attended by Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, elected representatives from the district, leaders of political parties, representatives of different organisations, educational institutions, religious leaders and others, said an official release. The meeting was earlier scheduled for June 13, a day after the Ahmedabad air crash, amid a host of other programmes. However, the meeting was cancelled, and the Home Minister restricted his itinerary to launching the Special Action Force for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts to combat communalism, as well as inaugurating residential quarters for police personnel. A rag-picker from Wayanad in Kerala, Ashraf, was beaten to death by a group of people on April 27 near Kudupu within the City Police Commissionerate limits. The incident occurred when the victim reportedly made some statements that angered the players at a local cricket event. Police have arrested a majority of the accused in this case. On May 1, the double murder accused and Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty was hacked to death by a group of persons at Bajpe within the Commissionerate limits. While the police nabbed a majority of the accused, the Union Home Ministry handed over the probe to the National Investigating Agency on June 7, stating that the case related to the targeted killing of an individual in public view to create terror in the minds of people by members of an alleged unlawful association. On May 27, Abdul Rahiman from Kolthamajalu in Bantwal taluk was hacked to death by a group of persons in Ira Kodi village when he, along with Kalander Shafi, was unloading sand from his pick-up vehicle. Rahiman was the secretary of the local Masjid committee. Bantwal Rural Police, under the Dakshina Kannada district police, have arrested the accused in the case, and the investigation is in progress.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Udupi MLA criticizes SAF deployment
Udupi: The State government's decision to bring Udupi under the newly formed Special Action Force (SAF) to address communal disharmony has drawn criticism from Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, who said it tarnishes the district's image. In a statement, Suvarna asserted that Udupi has not experienced communal unrest in the past decade and questioned the necessity of SAF deployment in the region. 'The government has decided to deploy SAF in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Shivamogga, despite Udupi maintaining peace even when communal incidents occurred in neighboring Dakshina Kannada. This decision was made unilaterally, without consulting elected representatives or the public,' he said. The MLA also criticized the State Home Department, suggesting that the SAF formation reflects its inability to maintain peace in Dakshina Kannada. He accused Home Minister G. Parameshwara of indirectly admitting to a failure in ensuring law and order in the three districts. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) South Karnataka Divisional Joint Secretary Sharan Pumpwell also commented on the issue, urging the SAF to act impartially. 'The SAF should not become an 'Anti-Hindu Special Task Force.' Instead, it should focus on addressing issues like love jihad, illegal conversions, cow slaughter, drug peddling and other illegal activities that disrupt communal harmony,' he said in a statement.
