1. Sanatan Sanstha Denies Ties With Accused in Gauri Lankesh Case
Right-wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha, which has been named in the chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Gauri Lankesh case, has denied any involvement in the murder of the journalist and activist.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the organisation’s spokesperson Chetan Rajhans ridiculed the SIT’s claim that the accused had been inspired by the book ‘Kshatradharma Sadhana’.
He argued that if a group of men inspired by the text made the organisation responsible, then who should be held accountable for jihad and naxalism? “The chargesheet filed by the SIT shows that efforts are being made to dig out the old issue of Hindu terrorism, and the conspiracy to start Malegaon-2 edition after Malegaon-1 has proved to be a total failure,” said Rajhans.
The SIT has named 18 people in the chargesheet, many of whom are allegedly former members of the Sanatan. However, Rajhans denied having any ties with them.
(Source: The Hindu)
2. Tension Brews in Karnataka Congress as Jarkiholi Confirms of Unhappiness Among MLAs
In what could be termed as the first official confirmation of not everything being alright in the state Congress unit, a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Congress party, Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday asserted that some of the MLA's from the state are unhappy and the party leadership is trying to convince them.
The MLAs are apparently unhappy over the delay in cabinet expansion, which hasn't happened ever since the new government was formed in the state in May this year. It is also seen as a pressure tactic ahead of the party's coordination committee meeting scheduled to take place in Bengaluru later this week.
Speaking to scribes, Jarkiholi said, "Some of them (MLAs) are not happy. They may not be 25 to 30 in numbers but there are 6 to 7 of them. MLAs are unhappy and our leadership is convincing them."
He also accused the opposition of attempting to create a rift in the party and said, "The opposition party is trying since the beginning to form the government by the support of Congress legislators through horse-trading the MLAs, but as of now there are only 6-7 MLAs who are unhappy and we will convince them."
(Source: The New Indian Express)
3. BJP Files Complaint Against FB Users Who Falsely Claimed Yeddyurappa Passed Away
Four Facebook profiles are under the scanner of Karnataka’s Cyber Crime police after a complaint was lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over social media posts that falsely claimed that former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa had passed away.
The complaint was made to the Cyber Crime Police in Bengaluru on November 22 by Ravikumar Neelappa, State Secretary of the BJP, and named four Facebook profiles in its complaint – those of Abhimanyu Kannadiga, Kannadiga Kavan, Pradeep Gowda and Ganesh Gowda.
“We have registered a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime police since the comments are politically motivated. We have made similar complaints in the past at the Malleswaram Police Station,” confirmed Balaji Srinivas, State Convenor of the BJP's social media cell.
(Source: The News Minute)
4. Fear of HIV Drives Villagers to Empty Only Water Source in Dharwad
In a classic example of how misconceptions about HIV/AIDS remains deep-rooted in our villages, a tank is being drained out in Morab village in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district because of the fear over HIV.
Trouble began in the village after the body of a woman infected with HIV was found floating in the village tank last week. Rumour mills got to work and lack of awareness only added to the fear among village residents that HIV could spread to the whole village.
The residents stopped using water from the tank and elders of the village decided that pumping out the water was the only remedy.
It’s been a couple of days now since 20 water pumpsets have been installed on the tank bund to pump out water into nearby fields and drains in the village.
(Source: The Hindu)
5. Electric Vehicles Launched at Nandi Hills
A visit to the picturesque Nandi Hills has become even more attractive with the launch of three electric vehicles at the hilltop on Tuesday.
The electric vehicles, which are being maintained by a private company in association with the State government, will take visitors on a two-kilometre tour of the historic sites as well as sight-seeing of flora and fauna of the area.
“We are doing this on a trial basis to gauge the response. We can add more vehicles to the fleet if the response is good. If this takes off, in the long-term, we can restrict the movement of private vehicles in the fort premises,” says M Jagadeesh, Joint Director (Horticulture).
The drivers of the vehicles are trained to act as guides. Each vehicle can ferry up to six people at a time. The ride is ticketed. The fee per adult is Rs 100 and per child or for the disabled is Rs 50.
(Source: The Hindu)
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