1. Lingayats and Veerashaivas Clash in Kalaburgi
Minor clashes broke out between a section of Lingayats and Veerashaivas in Kalburgi on Monday, 19 March. This was a direct fallout of the Karnataka government’s decision to seek central government's nod for giving Lingayats (including Veerashaivas who follow Basavanna) separate religion status.
According to TV reports, the Veerashaivas also burnt posters of CM Siddaramaiah.
However, the situation was brought under control with police detaining both the sections and taking them to the Station Bazar Police Station in the district.
(Source: The News Minute)
2. Woman Kidnapped, Assaulted Near Kasavanahalli in Bengaluru
A 28-year-old teacher was kidnapped by three persons in a car near her apartment on Sunday night and assaulted before she was left on the roadside near Kasavanahalli in an unconscious state in the early hours of Monday.
The victim, who sustained multiple injuries, has been admitted to St John's hospital and the Bellandur police are now on the lookout for the accused based on the registration number of the car provided by a couple who witnessed the kidnapping.
The victim was walking towards her apartment on Sarjapura Road around 9:15 pm on Sunday when three men in car intercepted her and pulled her into the car. The victim began to scream and kick the doors to get out, but the assailants sped away.
(Source: The Hindu)
3. Stop Calling Bengaluru Pub and Wine City: Temperance Board
The Karnataka State Temperance Board (KSTB) has urged the government to stop popularising Bengaluru as a 'pub and wine city.'
Speaking to media persons on Monday, the KSTB chairman, HC Rudrappa asked the government to promote Gandhian ideals by establishing more de-addiction centres instead of promoting the city as pub and wine city.
The board intends to submit a report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah which calls for the strengthening of de-addiction centres at the taluk level besides opening such centres at village panchayat level, he said.
"We have also asked the government to include chapters on ill-effects of alcohol in high school and college books to create an impact at the right age", he said.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
4. Siddaramaiah’s Lingayat Decision Kills Many Birds With One Stone
It was a rebellion against the caste system, the vedic culture and the Brahminic practices among Veerashaiva Hindus that led to the creation of the Lingayat religion by social reformer Basavanna in the 12th century. Several centuries later, on 19 March 2018, Veerashaivas have been presented with a choice once again – follow Basavanna or the Vedas.
With a carefully crafted decision, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has managed to help his party through another catch-22 situation. The decision has not only paved the way for him to get votes from a BJP stronghold, but also put an end to a dispute which had threatened to affect him in the Assembly elections.
(Source: The Quint)
5. Man Introduced Fake Daughters to Get Bank Loan
The high court on Wednesday rejected anticipatory bail to a man who presented two women as his daughters to bank officials to raise a Rs 11 lakh loan against ancestral properties which he pledged with the bank.
Dismissing the petition filed by AR Nagarajappa, a resident of Ramagondanahalli, Davanagare district, Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar noted that the petitioner’s act cannot be condoned and it’s better for him to surrender before law-enforcing authorities and seek bail later.
Last year, Nagarajappa, who had financial problems, sought the consent of his wife and daughters, Lalitha and Ranjani, to pledge the family properties. They had around 9 acres in various survey numbers of Mayakonda Hobli. However, his family objected to his plan.
(Source: The Times of India)
6. Church Street Gets Parking Metres, Parking Ban May be Lifted
The existing parking ban on Church Street might be revoked once the city administration installs automated parking metres on the renovated stretch. Earlier this week, police had barred parking on the road as directed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) R Hithendra said installing parking meters may help in rethinking the decision. “If parking meters are installed, there will be some discipline among vehicle users,” Hithendra said.
(Source: The Times of India)
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