BJP’s firebrand national spokesperson trivializes RTI activist Baliga’s murder; snubs victim’s sister

coastaldigest.com news network
April 29, 2018

Mangaluru, Apr 29: Meenakshi Lekhi, the national spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, who held chief minister Siddaramaiah government for all the murders in Karnataka, was taken aback when Harsha Baliga, the sister of RTI activist Vinayak Panduranga Baliga, who was murdered by saffron forces, broke her silence at a programme in the city yesterday.

•Slain RTI activist Vinayak Panduranga Baliga was also a BJP worker
•NaMo Birgade founder Naresh Shenoy is the prime accused in the murder

51-year-old Baliga was hacked to death near his house in Kodialbail on March 21, 2016 by a gang of miscreants belonging to saffron outfit. Naresh Shenoy, a prominent businessman in the city and founder of NaMo brigade is the prime accused in the brutal murder. Ironically Baliga was also a BJP worker.

Ms Lekhi, who is also a Member of Parliament from New Delhi constituency and lawyer of Supreme Court of India, apparently tried to shut the aggrieved woman’s mouth, saying the murder case of Baliga was too local to be discussed. The incident took place at an interaction programme ‘Karunada Mahila Jagrathi Samvada’, organized at an auditorium in PVS Circle.

After Lekhi spoke about women empowerment, safety, reservation, murders in the state and other issues, the Harsha Baliga, who was one among the audience, stood up and posed a question about her brother’s murder.

“I told her (Lekhi), that my brother Vinayak, a grassroots level BJP worker, was murdered for no fault of his. Yet party leaders did not give him justice, but supported the accused. Now they have given ticket to a person who was allegedly part of the murder plan. Why such double standards. The death of my brother has brought mental trauma on women like us, who entirely depended on him. Will you take appropriate action against them?” she questioned.

Harsha said Lekhi categorically denied to answer and said that it’s ‘too local an issue’ and also asked her to give the query in writing. “For an hour she (Lekhi) spoke about daughters of India and their problems, but why did she turn down a question asked by a distressed woman like me,” Harsha told reporters later.

Nalin Kumar, MP, who too was present at the venue, in order to avoid a possible embarrassment, quietly walked away from the stage when Baliga’s sister started her questions.

Comments

MR
 - 
Monday, 30 Apr 2018

Why Baliga  a hindu and BJP  worker eliminated by a hindu Naresh Shenoy a prime accused. Now they have given to a person who was part of elimination plan. Can one of you post the name of the guy who got the ticket? 

Please dont vote for the guy who planned the elimination of Vinayk

Give justice to Vinayk Baliga

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News Network
April 20,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 20: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday held a meeting with State Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and police officers over the Padarayanapura incident that occurred on Sunday.

A ruckus erupted in Padarayanapura on Sunday allegedly over shifting of suspected COVID-19 persons to quarantine facility by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials.

"I met the Chief Minsiter and briefed him. CM has told us to act strictly. I have told the same to my officials. We won't tolerate such acts by anyone. We have arrested 59 people and five FIRs have been registered. I'm going to Padarayanapura now. Will make sure others are quarantined," said Bommai earlier today after meeting the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, reacting on the incident, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal-Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy said that the people responsible must be dealt with proper action.

"These kinds of incidents are not acceptable, its an act of shame. Doesn't matter which community one belongs to, each and every one must follow the guidelines and law. Whoever is indulged in such act must be punished," he said.
In a series of tweet Kumaraswamy said that it was not at all needed to attack the police check post and this act is unacceptable.

The incident occurred in the late evening on Sunday at Padarayanapura which is recognized as a 'Red Zone' when BBMP officials went to bring 15 secondary contacts of corona positive patients.

However, some people and youth created ruckus and broke the barricades and removed police post which was stalled in the area.
Soon after receiving the information, Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner of Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
"Lockdown continues, please remain indoors.

Tomorrow will be as it was till today. We Understand your situation and appreciate your cooperation," tweeted Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Bhaskar Rao.

In Karnataka, 390 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, of which 16 people have succumbed to the infection, as per the Union Health Ministry.

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News Network
April 19,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 19: In order to boost the Coast Guard's (CG) surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities on the country's west coast in Karnataka, CG OPV Varaha and CG Dornier 785 ex Kochi were pressed to service to undertake extensive surveillance.

"Both seawards and aerial surveillance of Karnataka coast line will be undertaken from Sunday," said S Babu Venkatesh, Commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka. The surveillance will be an air-sea coordinated operation.

The Coast Guard ships and aircraft maintained extensive search in the area for intercepting any suspect vessel. Indian Coast Guard ships classified various contacts in the area and kept them under constant surveillance.

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News Network
March 14,2020

Belagavi, Mar 14: After the first COVID-19 related death reported in the state, less number of people are travelling in North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) buses, official sources said here.

There were less number of travellers on Saturday as compared to any other day.

According to sources, many passengers cancelled their reservations to major cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Goa and Kalaburagi too.

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