‘Secular parties should work out a strategy to prevent vote split’: An interview with A R Puthige

Aysha Tanisha & Sabika Lobo
November 27, 2017

Abdul Rauf Puthige is a quite familiar name in Mangaluru. Son of a doctor-turned-cleric from Puthige locality in the temple town of Moodbidri, the 51-year-old ever-enthusiastic gentleman is a well-established realtor, social worker and philanthropist who gives priority to charity rather than publicity. His sudden entry to politics as the Karnataka state general secretary of Janata Dal (Secular) has raised many eyebrows. Despite being a novice in politics, Mr Puthige has frank and ‘politically correct’ answers for all the questions. Here are a few things that Mr Puthige said in his exclusive interview to coastaldigest.com.

CD: What motivated you to enter politics? Do you fully agree with the policies and principles of JD(S)?

A R Puthige: Today almost every citizen in India feels politics is a dirty pond. But you will never be able to clean the pond merely by calling it dirty. I think if you seriously want to see the pond cleansed, first of all you must enter into it. In my case I don't depend on politics for my bread and butter. I have always believed that for people who want to serve the society and the masses, politics can be a very effective platform. In fact, politics has never been totally alien to me. A good number of my close friends are active in politics either as leaders or as activists at the grass root level. I have good friends in all the prominent political parties. Some of them have been insisting me to join their respective parties. Coming to the second part of your question, yes, I agree fully with the declared policies and principles of my party. 

CD: Do you think JD(S) will make gains in coastal belt of Karnataka by having you as its State General Secretary? 

A R Puthige: Ours is a party with a national vision. Our concern is the welfare of the entire country. Already our party has many senior leaders in coastal belt and a huge number of committed cadre in this region. They are all sincerely striving to strengthen the party in this region. My focus will be on improving the prospects of the party throughout the Karnataka state, which was once ruled by our party. 

CD: What’s your take on the possibilities of split of ‘secular votes’ in Karnataka?

A R Puthige: It is quite obvious that we do not want any division in the secular votes. It is very much possible to work out a strategy to avoid it. JD(S) leaders have always been concerned about it. But then, secularism is not the exclusive domain of any particular party. When there are many secular parties in the fray there will be apprehensions about division of secular votes. Congress too claims to be a secular party. If they are really serious in this claim, they should come forward to shoulder their share of responsibility in this regard. By the way, I look at the situation positively. In my view compared to competitive communalism, competitive secularism is always beneficial to the society. Therefore let there be many secular parties and let all such parties sit together and work out a strategy to ensure that division of secular votes does not benefit communal elements. 

CD: Can a political platform expand your social service activities? 

A R Puthige: If you are talking about Talent Research Foundation (TRF), an NGO launched in 2005 by myself along with a team of friends, it has nothing to do with politics. It will always remain politically neutral. Personally, while serving humanity and the human society is your passion, you will see opportunities to serve humanity in every platform. By joining politics, I have entered a new world. Here I see plenty of fresh opportunities to carry on with my passion.

CD: The activities of TRF are praiseworthy. Are you planning to expand its services? What’s the financial source of TRF ? 

A R Puthige: It has always been my dream to see TRF serving humanity at the national level. We will do it gradually. My friends in TRF are already planning to extend its services to the neighboring districts. TRF is run by a well-knit team. All its finances come from donations contributed by myself, my business partners, my close associates and members of my family. 

CD: Can you tell about a time when you almost gave up? How did you feel about that and what did you do instead of giving up?

A R Puthige: Ups and downs are essential parts of one’s life. There have been a number of such ups and downs in my life too. My faith in God helps me to overcome all the hurdles, remain positive and optimistic even under the most challenging circumstances. It’s my belief that God does not close a door on you before opening a dozen doors for you. You just have to positively look around and you will see those doors. I am from a very humble back ground. God has always been extremely kind to me. I am sure he will always be so in future too.

Comments

shaan Dubai
 - 
Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

error: To break jamiyyathul falah he made TRF

shaan Dubai
 - 
Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

AR Puthige once again proved an opporunist,to break and to become permanent president he formed TRF. Now to do some deal joined JDS to please BM Farook. He is a show man ans self publicityman

Yes in maharastra if MIM have enough chance to win all should support them. as far as Karnataka is concerned SDPI have enough chance so MIM have to withdraw their candidates and full support to be given to SDPI. thats all i can say.

Shahul
 - 
Monday, 4 Dec 2017

In reply to by Abdul Ghanim

MIM does't have enough grass root level workers and not enough vote base even though in Maharastra they won 2 MLA's and many number of municipal councillors due to good leadership to lead.

Abdul Ghanim
 - 
Sunday, 3 Dec 2017

In reply to by shahul

Dear Shahul,

 

SDPI Backed Independent Candidates contested for the first time in UP Local body elections and have earned good response from general public, as far as SDPI is concerned they have 2 Strategy, electoral politics and Agitative politics, unless SDPI contest in election they canot win. as far as MIM is concerned yes this time they have bagged around 32 seats out of which 29 seats alone in Dasna muncipality it happend just because they contested dispite of alligation that they will damage congress bla bla n all, but last time in karnataka SDPI got good number of seats and MIM got no seats it doesnt mean that MIM should not contest if they have enough strength they have to contest but in karnataka they doesnt have grass root level workers when they doesnt have base they must and should support SDPI. 

Dear Abdul

 

"SDPI have enough stength to defeat the soft & hard hindutua groups" What happened SDPI strenght in recently held UP corporation/Municipality and Panchayat elections even in Up majority of area consists of Muslims and Daliths. Hyderabad based MIM won in signifacant numbers.

Abdul Ghanim
 - 
Saturday, 2 Dec 2017

In reply to by Shahul

Dear Shahul,

 

with due respect, would like to make some points here.

 

the minorities were facing challenges and difficulties not only under the current rigim. if you go back to the previous 70 years of Congress rule, the same citiuation we have came across. from Babri to Dadri, Mumbai to Gujrarath, the communal oufits are scot free, no justice is been delivered to the oppressed victims. many hate speeches were given under previous and  present congress rule, but congress miscerably failed to controll the Facists. even though congress now not in power but they have failed as a responsible opposition. they have promised the muslim community that they will impliment the rangnath mishra commision recomondation and justice sacchar commisiion recomondation on socio, economic condition of the backward muslim community but muslims were betrayed again and again! some certain extent we have to agree that during the 70 years of congress rule they have devoleped the indian economy that was just because leaders like Indira Ghandi and Rajeev Ghandi, but the present  congress has become a B Team of RSS/BJP. if we talk about the present karnataka govt. Mr.Siddaramayya done a good job as he belives in Socialism. but again congress has failed to impliment the promise which they have mentioned in their Election manifesto ( you can check their website). to defeat the RSS/BJP voting congress is not the solution. for us all previous experinces are learning lessons. let this time give Chance to SDPI were they have enough strength to defeat the soft and hard hindutva groups.!!

Shahul
 - 
Thursday, 30 Nov 2017

In reply to by Abdul Ghanim

Dear Abdul

 

I also agree with you. I am not a supporter of congress party. If we analyse the current situation of our country with the minorities and daliths really miserable. The minorities faching challenges and difficulties under the present government, Muslims and daliths linving in a sense of insecuriy, intolerance and fear in a great diversify and pluralstic country thar gives equal rights to every citizen..Everday they are advocating provocative communal statements and threats from the BJP and sangh parivar leaders. We never experenced this type of situation under the congress rule.They are palying with divisive and hatred politics. we are witnessing  the voileance,atrocities, lychhing across the country in the name of religion and attacking muslim personal laws. Congress governement never interefered in the muslim personal law. It is true under the 70 years congress rule mulslims are lagging behing in education,employment,healthcare and economic and basic facilities. One thing we have to agree that today india is a developed and strong economic country the credit goes to congress party for their 70 years hard work and sacrifices. The current governance of congress governemt is better than comparing to other states. Honourable cheif minister is doing a better job and improved our state in all sectors. We can not trust the JD(S) some places thery are supporting congress (BBMP) and some places they are supporting  BJP (recently held ligislation council chairman voting.) we have to take a united stand for the betterment of our community and society.

Dear Shahul,

 

i do agree with you, but later mr.kumar swamy openly apologised for his wrong remarks, as per your statement  if we are limiting our anger jus for one statement, then why we have to vote congres??? they have  been in power for more than 70 years! what justice they have delivered to the oppressed muslim community?? if we have an opportuinity for playing positive politics then we have to stand on our own or sometimes  if required  we need to make the allience and  get the support from other so called secular party's be it congress or JDS but our objectives and principle should remain the same. electoral allience and political  ideology is 2 different componants, as we are living in a multi cultured society we cannot stand alone, we need to make alliance with like minded partys, if any one compromises with its ideology then we may call them as political opportunists. like Mr.SM Krishna and Jayaprakash Hegde..!!

Shahul
 - 
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2017

Yes SDPI allianced wih JD(S) for their own electrol convenience and benefits. The same JD(S) ex chief minister Mr.Kumaraswamy called the madrasa breeding place of terrorism. How you can call these parites secular party.

Abdul Ghanim
 - 
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2017

SDPI was telling the same from  bigining but congress never heard their demands! JDS at least heard the voice of SDPI and it was agreed for the electoral aliance in the past. yes i do agree with Mr. Puttige All secular parties in state level and national level work out a strategy and provide a political share for all the secular parties as per their strength. then only we can put united fight against facist forces.

shahul
 - 
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2017

Mr.Deve Gowda's grand son Mr.Prajwal publicly criticized JD(S) is a party of  suitcase culture.

Fan
 - 
Monday, 27 Nov 2017

Dear Kumaraswamay,
I hate you and your party... But, if you assure me to make A R Puthige chief minister of Karnataka, I will definitely vote for your party!!!

Mangalorean
 - 
Monday, 27 Nov 2017

Very nice interview. People like Mr A R Puthige are need of the hour in politics. He is a self made man. Hope he will reach new heights and continue to serve people. 

Viren Kotian
 - 
Monday, 27 Nov 2017

Why so called secular parties are so much worried of a nationalist party? If you can work out a strategy we also can work out a strategy

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News Network
January 21,2020

Beijing, Jan 21: The Chinese official investigating a pneumonia outbreak stemming from a new coronavirus said the disease can spread from person to person but can be halted with increased vigilance, as authorities on Tuesday confirmed a fourth death.

Zhong Nanshan said there was no danger of a repeat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic that killed nearly 800 people globally during a 2002-2003 outbreak, which started in China, as long as precautions were taken.

"It took only two weeks to identify the novel coronavirus," state news agency Xinhua quoted Zhong as saying late on Monday.

The outbreak was still in its early stages and China had good surveillance and quarantine systems to help control it, he added.

The outbreak has spread from the central city of Wuhan to cities including Beijing and Shanghai, with more than 200 cases reported so far. Four cases have been reported outside China - in South Korea, Thailand and Japan.

Australia on Tuesday said it would screen passengers on flights from Wuhan amid rising concerns that the virus will spread globally as Chinese travellers take flights abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday starting this week.

Authorities around the globe, including in the United States and many Asian countries, have stepped up screening of travellers from Wuhan.

Chinese authorities confirmed a total of 217 cases of the virus in China as of 6 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Monday, state television reported, 198 of which were in Wuhan.

A fourth person died on Jan. 19, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. The 89-year-old man, who had underlying health diseases including coronary heart disease, developed symptoms on Jan. 13 and was admitted to hospital five days later, it added.

Zhong, who is renowned in China for his work fighting SARS in 2003, confirmed that the virus can pass from person-to-person.

Fifteen medical workers in Wuhan had been diagnosed with pneumonia, with one other suspected case, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. Of the infected staff, one was in critical condition.

In Shanghai, officials on Tuesday confirmed a second case involving a 35-year-man who had visited Wuhan in early January, and said they were monitoring four other suspected cases.

The virus causes a type of pneumonia and belongs to the same family of coronaviruses as SARS. Symptoms include fever and difficulty in breathing, which are similar to many other respiratory diseases and pose complications for screening efforts.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday an animal source appeared most likely to be the primary origin of the outbreak and that some "limited human-to-human transmission" occurred between close contacts.

The Geneva-based U.N. agency convened an emergency committee for Wednesday to assess whether the outbreak constitutes an international health emergency and what measures should be taken to manage it.

So far, the WHO has not recommended trade or travel restrictions, but a panel of independent experts could do so or make other recommendations to limit spread.

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News Network
February 9,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 9: A man in Karnataka fled just before his wedding after his parents cancelled the ceremony over a disagreement about the saree that the bride wore duiring a ritual.

BN Raghukumar, who belonged to a village near Karnataka's Hassan town, did not to show up at his wedding, acting on the directions of his parents. The incident took place on Wednesday.

"We have registered a cheating case against Raghukumar. He is absconding," Hassan Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda told news agency. The police have also registered a case against the groom's parents.

Raghukumar and BR Sangeetha fell in love a year ago and decided to get married with the consent of their respective families.

However, Raghukumar's parents asked Sangeetha to change her saree during some rituals as they were not happy with its quality.

Following this dispute, the groom's parents cancelled the wedding scheduled on Thursday and directed their son to run away.

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News Network
April 8,2020

Davanagere, Apr 8: BJP MLA from Honnali constituency, MP Renukacharya, said that the government should not ignore those who attended Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi and are escaping detection, and it is not wrong if the person is shot.

"Anyone who attended Tablighi meet, is not coming out for medical checkups and is escaping detection. The government should not ignore them. Even if he is shot, it is not wrong. Otherwise, the virus will spread throughout the entire country. In China it started with one person," Renukacharya said on Tuesday.

"We are suffering because someone is not coming for check-up. I request them to come voluntarily to the doctors and District Magistrates. Not all minorities are terrorists and not all of them are anti-nationals," he added.

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction for the government to impose a complete ban on all activities of the Tablighi Jamaat with immediate effect.

Over 1,000 coronavirus cases in India are linked to Tablighi Jamaat gathering. Hundreds of people who are related to Tablighi Jamaat have been quarantined.

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