Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jun 16: “Banned organisations like PFI and STPI are directly responsible for disturbing peace, this has been proven in multiple incidents”, said MLA Sunil Kumar addressing the media in the press meet held at Udupi district BJP office, Kadiyali on June 16.
Speaking about the formation of a Special Action Force for Mangaluru, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts, Sunil Kumar said, “The BJP is not the reason for unrest, as the government falsely claims. These statements are made only to protect their vote bank. It is because of the Hindu community that peace continues to exist. However, banned PFI-STPI workers are still causing disruption, and the Congress is indirectly supporting them.”
Reacting to the state government's criticism of the Central caste census, Sunil Kumar accused the state of misleading the public. “The Central caste census contains 36 questions, not limited to caste but also covering education and economic status. After being humiliated by the high command, Siddaramaiah extended the timeline for the caste census under Jayaprakash Hegde. Now, in an effort to save face, he is talking about a re-census. But when the union government is already conducting a census, a parallel caste survey by the state holds no practical value,” he said.
Sunil Kumar further pointed out that Rs 160 crore was spent on the previous caste survey a decade ago, and the cost would now be much higher. “With no budget allocation and a scientifically impossible 90-day timeline, the process lacks feasibility. It took them three months to classify one crore people; how can they classify seven crore in the same time?” he questioned. He also stated that the chief minister cannot evade responsibility for the recent RCB celebration stampede.
Commenting on the recent change in BJP Udupi district leadership, Sunil Kumar said, “Leadership changes may bring temporary disappointment, which is natural. However, change is essential, and any issues arising from this transition will be addressed. So far, district presidents have been changed in nine districts while others remain the same.”
Sunil Kumar, announcing about the ‘Dharani Sathyagraha’ to be held on June 23, said, “Over the past two years, the state government has failed on multiple fronts. From the Rs 175 crore Valmiki Nigama scam, MUDA scam, transfer scam in the revenue department, tender scam in the Labour department, and their failure in handling the RCB stampede incident, people have witnessed this government's repeated failures. Yet, the government shows no remorse. Development work in Karnataka has stalled, and the government is unresponsive to public grievances. As MLAs, we’ve gone door-to-door, raised concerns in the Vidhana Sabha and KDP meetings, but solutions are still lacking. Therefore, we will hold a strong 'Dharani Satyagraha' based on five major demands.”
The five demands include, issues related to 9 and 11, the government changed Urban Development Authority rules, leaving over 2,000 applications pending in the district. We want a permanent solution. Second, demanding housing allocation as not a single Ashraya house has been sanctioned to any grama panchayat even after two years. Third, demanding a dedicated committee to address these cases Akrama-Sakrama applications related to agricultural land are being rejected by the Revenue department. Fourth, old age pension applications are being denied citing higher income, which is unjust and must stop. Fifth, demanding reduced electricity bills which skyrocketed.
The protest will be held simultaneously in 399 locations including grama panchayats, town panchayats, pura sabhas and city municipalities from 10 am to 1 pm across two districts.
The press meet was attended by MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme, convener Mangaluru region Uday Kumar Shetty, convener Rajesh Kaveri, former president Kuilday Suresh Nayak, and others.