1. Veerashaiva Mahasabha Rejects Minority Status Only for Basava Followers
The much-awaited meeting of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha(AIVM) on Friday decided to oppose the Siddaramaiah government’s decision to accord religious minority status for the Veershaiva-Lingayat community, as it came with a rider.
But it decided to exert pressure on the Centre to provide minority religion status to Veerashaiva-Lingayats.
“The state government, under Section 2D, had accepted our request for Lingayats and Veerashaiva-Lingayats (those who follow Basava tattva) for minority status and recommended the same under 2C to the Union government. It is unconstitutional to force a tattva (philosophy) on a community. Hence, the state government should withdraw the decision immediately.
(Source: The Times of India)
2. Rajya Sabha Polls: JD(S) Accuses K’taka Returning Officer of Favouring Congress
With Rajya Sabha polls for four seats underway in Karnataka, JD(S) leader HD Revanna, Ramesh Babu and the party’s candidate BM Farooq have alleged the returning officer S Murthy is favouring the Congress.
The JD(S) leaders argued with the returning officer while claiming that two Congress leaders, who wrote the names of JD(S) candidate on the ballot paper, were made to rewrite the name of a Congress candidate.
Revanna and Farooq alleged that Gurmitkar MLA Baburao Chinchansur and Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa were forced to write names of Congress candidates on their ballot papers.
(Source: The News Minute)
3. State to Blackout Today for Safer Planet
Lights would go off and electrical gadgets will fall silent from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday, as the state prepares to take part in a major global initiative to save the earth.
Individuals and organisations will also mark the 'Earth Hour' this year by giving up one electrical component to ensure a cleaner and greener environment in support of the WWF's "give up to give back" campaign.
Nokia and HSBC Bank will organise a cleanliness and awareness drive at the Madiwala Lake from 7 am on Saturday, in which Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy will also take part.
Hotels and resorts have pledged to turn off their lights during the Earth Hour, including popular ones in Kabini such as Carve, Bison, Waterwoods, Orange County and Evolve Back. Joining them would be historical monuments across the state, besides major corporate houses, which pledged to close down their operations for an hour.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
4. Techie Dies After Fall From Flyover
A software engineer, working with Infosys, died on Friday after a fall from a flyover near Kudlu Gate. The flyover is 30-ft-high and the techie fell onto the road below the flyover.
The deceased has been identified as Sharath Kumar Reddy, 30. According to Hulimavu police, Reddy was riding his bike when he hit the wall of the flyover. Due to the impact he was tossed into the air and fell on the road below. He sustained serious injuries was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead.
(Source: Bangalore Mirror)
5. Land Acquisition Blues for Depots Likely to Drag Metro Phase 2
Work on the extension of Namma Metro's four reaches under Phase 2 has been progressing well but hurdles to acquiring land for depots in the extended lines have got the BMRCL worried. Officials fear the delay might affect the timely completion of Phase 2.
The BMRCL has identified 45 acres of forest land for the Whitefield depot, 40 acres for the Challaghatta depot, about 20 acres for the Anjanapura depot and 30 acres for the Kothanur depot. While notifications for land acquisition in some of these areas was issued way back in 2015, there has been no progress on taking possession of land.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
6. Rahul Gandhi to Tour CM's Turf From Today
The centuries-old Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru, the home district of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is where Congress president Rahul Gandhi will kickstart the fourth leg of his Janaarshirvada Yatra on Saturday.
Rahul will cover Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts during the two-day tour.
After visiting the Chamundeshwari temple, Rahul is slated to interact with students at the Maharani's College for Women. He will then head to Chamarajanagar where he will address a corner meeting and hold roadshows along the villages of Santhemarahalli, Yalandur and Kollegal. He will address a public rally at Malavalli in Mandya.
(Source: Deccan Herald)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)