Shivaram Karanth was against insulting beef eaters: Prakash Raj

coastaldigest.com news network
October 11, 2017

Udupi, Oct 11: Multilingual actor, activist and columnist Prakash Raj aka Prakash Rai was confirmed with Dr Kota Shivaram Karanth Huttura Prashasti-2017 (Dr Kota Shivaram Karanth Birthplace Award-2017) on Tuesday. Tight security was provided to actor in the wake of threats by saffron elements after he criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The award instituted by the Kotathattu Gram Panchayat in Udupi district and Karanth Birthplace Award Foundation, in memory of the Jnanpith award winner late Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth, is being given annually for the last 13 years since 2005.

Raj got a warm welcome hundreds of fans including non-BJP political activists at places like Kinnimulki, Santhakatte, and Kota. On the other hand members of the Akhila Karnataka Nata Panth Jogi Smaja Seva Samithi, Jai Bhargava Balaga, Hindu Jagarana Vedike and some BJP workers had planned to wave black flags at the NH near Karanth Theme Park. However, before Raj reached the venue, all the protesters were arrested and the way was cleared for the actor

After receiving the award, Rai said, "My statement was my anxiety towards the problems our society is facing. We are moving towards an infected society, where our own family is not safe. We want a safe and secure society for ourselves and our family. Any difference of opinion should be discussed, killing is not allowed as it is worse than cruelty.

"People who criticize me say I don't know about Karanth, however, this is my place, Karanth is like my grandfather, his life is an example to all. He always said 'I am only answerable to my conscience and not others' assessments' and being his grandson, how can I be different? Karanth said, whoever eats beef, let them eat, do not trouble them. He condemned violence His words were harsh but truthful," Rai said.

Later, Rai told media, "It is not important who won or lost. I was capable of getting the award and I got it, so I am happy. Developments over the past few days are an effort to control the freedom of expression. Karanth was a person with strong opinions about things, so am I. Attacking one man and his personality and isolating him with harsh words, will not be entertained in Karnataka any more. What I said was apt for that situation and I don't have to explain it to all."

Prakash Raj's car was escorted from Mangaluru airport by seven police vehicles upto the venue. No vehicles were allowed at the venue, and entry was allowed only after checking. At the Theme Park, hundreds of police personnel were deployed.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 19,2020

Udupi, May 18: As many as eight fresh coronavirus positive cases have been reported in coastal districts of Udupi and Uttara Kannada. 

No fresh positive case was reported in Dakshina Kannada since yesterday.

According to Health and Family Welfare Department, two men aged 38 and 24 years, an 8-year-old boy and a 24-year-old woman tested positive for coronavirus in Udupi district today. 

All of them were under quarantine after returning from Maharashtra recently. They were shifted to covid-19 hospital for treatment. With this the number of covid-19 positive cases in Udupi district mounted to 15.

Meanwhile, Uttara Kannada district also received a jolt with four more cases. Yesterday it had reported eight cases.

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News Network
April 24,2020

Kasaragod, Apr 24:  Stricter measures have been enforced in more places in this district, as part of intensifying efforts aimed at containing the spread of Covid19.

According to District Collector Dr Sajith Babu, the new norms of intensified lockdown would be enforced in Kumbala, Mogral-Puthur, Chemmanad, Madhur, Muliyar and Kumbala grama panchayats, being identified as new hotspots in the district.

Earlier, door-to-door police patrolling at regular intervals have been implemented in Thalankeri, Choori, Kalanad and Nellikkunnu, where more positive cases of Covid-19 has been reported.

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News Network
January 2,2020

Tumakuru, Jan 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid respects to the 'Gadduge' (final resting place) of Shivakumara Swamiji at Siddaganga Math, a prominent Lingayat seminary here, and said the Swamiji's work would continue to inspire everyone.

The Swamiji, who was known as the 'Walking God' among his countless followers, had passed away last year at the age of 111. The Prime Minister, who arrived at the Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru, went directly to Tumakuru, where the Math is located, by a chopper along with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda among others. Modi, after offering respects to the 'Gadduge', planted Bilva plant (Aegle marmelos) on the premises of the Math and also laid the foundation for the construction of a museum dedicated to Swamiji here before addressing the gathering, largely comprising students. Speaking on the occasion, Modi said he was feeling blessed to begin 2020 from the sacred land of Siddaganga, but at the same time was feeling the "vacuum" in the absence of Shivakumara Swamiji. "It is rare see the number of people swamiji had inspired during his life time. I'm really fortunate to lay the foundation for the museum in swamiji's memory. Through this museum, his works will continue to inspire generations," he said. Also, Prime Minister remembered Vishwesha Theertha of Udupi's Pejawar Math who passed away recently. Yediyurappa and the present pontiff of the Math Siddalinga Swamiji were among the others present. Known as "trivida dasohi" for his triple sacraments - food, shelter and education - among his followers, Shivakumara swamiji was considered as the incarnation of Basavanna, the 12th-century social reformer, as he accepted all irrespective of their religion or caste. There has been a growing clamour from people of different walks of life, including politicians, for conferring "Bharat Ratna" on the late Swamiji.

After the Swamiji's demise, the then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had written to Modi urging him to confer the country's highest civilian order on the late seer.

Opposition Congress on Thursday questioned the Prime Minister about not conferring the"Bharat Ratna" on Shivakumara Swamiji.

Questioning Modi as to why he did not visit Tumakuru when Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math passed away, the principal opposition party in the state assembly in a tweet also sought to know why the seer was not conferred with the Bharat Ratna yet, while pointing out that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written a letter in this regard in January 2018.

The present seer of the seminary Siddalinga Swamiji presented Modi a silver statue of Shivakumara Swamiji as a memento.

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