SDPI’s Ilyas Mohammad Thumbay files nomination papers from Dakshina Kannada

Bengaluru, Mar 13: Several ministers staying at the Bengaluru resort had been emotionally pressurised to leave the Congress party, said Congress leader Jitu Patwari on Thursday after he was rescued by party leader DK Shivakumar from getting arrested due to the scuffle that had broken out at Embassy Boulevard here.

"We had received information that one of the MLAs, Manoj Chaudhary, staying at the Boulevard wanted his father to bring him back home," Patwari told reporters.

He said, "We had accompanied Manoj's father to the resort but the moment we entered the restaurant at the resort, some miscreants took away Manoj to some other unknown place," Patwari told reporters.

"Meanwhile, we (Lakhan Singh and Jitu Patwari) were manhandled and taken to the police station," he added.

Patwari said that the police had started the process of arresting them but Shivakumar came to their rescue and stopped their arrest.

He further said, "The police manhandled us even though we tried to talk to them in a very calm manner."

"If the MLAs giving resignation was their decision then why is the BJP not allowing them to contact their families," the MP said.

He further said that Jyotiraditya Scindia would soon become a minister but "why are the other ministers being made scapegoats."

Earlier in the day, a Congress leader in Madhya Pradesh had said that if action on the assaulters of its two leaders is not taken then the matter will be taken to the court.

Bengaluru, Jul 19: Senior JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday advised the Karnataka government to utilise the services of private medical colleges in treating Covid-19 patients, by taking them into confidence, instead of threatening them with license cancellation for not complying with directives.

He also said a concentrated effort should be taken in the fight against coronavirus. "It was wrong for any hospital to deny treatment. It is also not correct on part of the government to threaten the private medical colleges with cancellation of their licence for that reason. It won't be of any help at this time of medical emergency.

Remember that MCI has the authority to cancel licenses, not government," Kumaraswamy tweeted. "Instead of showing fury on private medical colleges at such a time, concentrate on taking their service by taking them into confidence. Look into their needs. I urge for a concentrated fight against coronavirus," he added.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had on Saturday convened a meeting with Private Medical College Hospitals regarding Covid management and directed them to provide 50 per cent of the beds as promised.

In another tweet, Kumaraswamy said the notice being put out by local administrations in front of coronavirus patient's house is leading to new age social discrimination and untouchability.

To ensure that infected patients and his family leads a respectable life, such a practice has to be dropped immediately. "..... instead health workers should be sent to their houses to educate and instill confidence in them," the former CM added.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26: Sister Lucy Kalappura, one of the nuns who protested against rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, on Saturday claimed that she is being targeted at the convent and not being provided food.

Sister Lucy was dismissed from Franciscan Clarist congregation for supporting sisters protesting against the Bishop.

"I am being targeted at the convent and not being provided food. When I asked the reason, I was told I have been dismissed from the convent and they are not responsible for feeding me," said Sister Lucy while speaking to the reporters.

She has alleged that all this began after the release of her autobiography "Karthavinte Namathil" which means 'In the name of God'. In her book she had alleged sexual misconduct among priests and nuns.

"They prepare food and after having it they lock it in the cupboard. When I asked the reason behind this, they told me that I have been dismissed," said Sister Lucy.

"Now I am managing it all by myself with egg and tapioca that grows in the convent compound. Earlier they used to keep the leftover lunch and I used to adjust with that, but after my book was released, they started to lock the food in the cupboard," she added.

Sister Lucy also claimed that she had filed three complaints with the police on August 19, August 20 and on December 13. They had taken her statement but no action was taken.

"If the police would have taken some action against the convent authorities, they would not have behaved this way. An FIR was registered based on the three complaints but no action was taken. This gives them more power to act against me. I have drafted a letter to the Chief Minister to raise my complaint," said Sister Lucy.

Bishop Mulakkal, a senior member of the Roman Catholic clergy in India, was arrested in 2018 following allegations by a nun that he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her at Kuravilangad convent between 2014 and 2016, a charge that he denies.