Protest against temple rape turns violent; saffron groups stage counter protest; Simha blames SDPI

Kolhapur, May 27: Praising the Muslims of Ichalkaranji town in the Kolhapur district for making invaluable contribution for setting up of a new intensive care unit in Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) hospital for treatment of corona infected patients, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that with this donation, they have set an ideal example before the country.

While dedicating a 10-bed ICU unit at IGM hospital online from Mumbai, during Eid al Fitr, Mr Thackeray said that by donating Rs 36 lakh for ICU unit at IGM hospital, the Muslim community has set an ideal example before the country as to how to celebrate the festival.

The Muslims of Ichalkaranji made the donation following an appeal by the state government about avoiding unnecessary expenses for celebrating the Eid.

Minister of State for Health Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar, MP Dharysheel Mane, MLAs Prakash Awade and Raju Awale, district collector Daulat Desai, district superintendent of police Dr Abhinav Deshmukh, Zilla Parishad chief executive officer Aman Mittal, district surgeon Dr B C Kempipatil and others were present on the occasion.

Udupi, May 30: Following the announcement of re-opening of places of worship from June 8, Ibrahim Musliyar Bekal, the Qadhi of Udupi has called upon the Centre and State governments to issue uniform guidelines for Muslims to be followed while going to mosques for congregational prayers.

In a media statement, he said that even though the government is relaxing the lockdown in a phased manner things will not be like before as people have to follow the precautionary measures to control the spread of the coronavirus. 

He said that the union and state governments after holding discussions with the authorities of Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and Islamic scholars, should form a uniform guidelines for all mosques.

He also suggested a few guidelines such as offering congregational prayers soon after adaan, closing the mosque soon after prayers, maintaining physical distance and avoiding the use of toilet in mosques. 

He also suggested the sick, elderly people and children to prefer to offer prayers in homes instead of mosques until situation becomes normal. 

Shivamogga, Jul 24: The protest by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) under the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) entered its 14th day on Friday demanding personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and a salary of at least Rs 12,000 per month.

They have been protesting in different parts of Karnataka since July 10.

Staging a protest in front of the deputy commissioner's office, the ASHA workers complained of the government turning a deaf ear to their problems.

Clad in their signature pink saris, they raised slogans to demand appropriate salary for their work and the necessary equipment to protect them from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. 

They said that they worked tirelessly during the COVID-19-induced lockdown without any safety. The department only provided them with sub-standard equipment to combat the deadly virus. All they were asking for is a basic pay of Rs 12,000 against the current pay of Rs 6,000.

Prema, an ASHA said, "The authorities are praising our work, clapping for us and showering flowers on us but are not listening to our grievances."