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Don’t take us for granted: Christians in Karnataka warn Congress

coastaldigest.com web desk
April 11, 2019

Bengaluru, Apr 11: Even as Muslims in Karnataka are feeling let down by the Congress, a few Christian leaders have warned the grand-old party against taking the community for granted as it had not fielded any Christian candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from the State.

J Alexander, former Minister and former Chief Secretary, and H.T. Sangliana, former Police Commissioner and ex-MP, has said that snubbing Christians during polls is not in the interest of Congress party.

Mr Sangliana, on Monday, resigned from the Congress in protest against the party’s “neglect” of the Christian community. Mr. Alexander, who had tendered resignation to the primary membership of the party, has now withdrawn his resignation after intervention of State Congress leaders and K.C. Venugopal, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka.

Mr. Alexander said the community had sought at least one ticket in the State as it has a sizeable number in Mangaluru, Karwar, Bidar and Bengaluru.

“The younger generation has a lot of aspirations and the feeling that the community is being taken for granted by the Congress is gaining ground among the youth,” Mr. Alexander said.

Mr. Sangliana, who was the BJP MP (2004-09) before joining the Congress, said the Congress has “marginalised” the Christian community. Though he was an aspirant, the party had denied him ticket to contest from Bengaluru Central constituency. The party fielded Rizwan Arshad, the only Congress candidate from Muslim community in the state.

According to Archbishop of Bengaluru Rev. Peter Machado, the community leaders had requested representation to the community. But the party leaders said representation will be given in some other form in later stages. “We accepted the fact,” he said.

On candidates meeting him and seeking the community’s support, Rev. Machado said: “We have given our blessing to all candidates.”

The Christians constitute approximately about 1.9% of the State population and 4.76 lakh population in Bengaluru (about 5.6%) and their support can be crucial in a tight political fight, say leaders. Currently, the community is represented by Ivan D’Souza in the Legislative Council and K.J. George in the Ministry.

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News Network
July 16,2020

Mangaluru, Jul 16: Streets in Mangaluru wore a deserted look as the city woke up to the first morning of the seven-day lockdown on Thursday.

The lockdown is being observed after the state government announced it as a necessary step to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The week-long total shutdown came into effect in the Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district from 8 pm on July 15 till 5 am on July 22.

The state government allowed relaxation between 8am to 11 am for purchasing of essential commodities. A slight rush was observed during the hours of the relaxation.

Karnataka has so far reported 47,253 positive COVID-19 cases, including 27,859 active cases and 18,466 recoveries.

So far, 928 people have lost their lives due to the infectious virus in the state.

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News Network
June 29,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 29: A hospital set up in 1848 in the Port City has to remain closed till July 5 as majority of the Doctors and Staff at Lady Goschen Government Hospital are quarantined after coming in contact with a COVID-19 infected person.

Hospital Medical Superintendent said that both in-patient and out-patient wings of the hospital will remain closed till July 5 as there is a need to fumigate and sanitise all the departments of the hospital. Patients for treatment under 'Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka' scheme will be sent to private medical colleges with the referral card from the hospital. The hospital will start functioning normally from July 6.

The Lady Goschen Government Hospital, earlier known as the maternity Hospital, is the oldest hospital in the district and dates back to 1848.

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News Network
January 11,2020

Mysuru, Jan 11: Accusing the Congress and other opposition parties of pursuing “vote bank politics” on the Citizenship (Amendment ) Act (CAA), Kannada littérateur and Saraswathi Samman awardee S L Byrappa accused the party of misleading the people on the issue.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, Mr Bhyrappa said that Congress was adopting the divide and rule policy of the British, who had created a rift between the Hindus and the Muslims to break their unity during the freedom struggle.

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