2 lakh Bangladeshis in Bangalore

HL: ‘2 lakh Bangladeshis in Bangalore’: BJP

OB Bureau

Karnataka BJP unit stirred a fresh political storm by claiming that nearly 2 lakh illegal Bangladesh nationals may have settled in Bangalore, pressing the Congress-led state government to immediately constitute a Special Task Force (STF) to identify and deport them.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, said there was “serious suspicion” about the scale of illegal immigration in the city. “There is suspicion that around two lakh illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are settled in Bangalore city alone. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, illegal immigrants themselves are reportedly admitting that nearly two lakh illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are residing in Bangalore,” Ashoka alleged.

Pointing to recent police action, Ashoka said that in operations conducted over the past week, 71 suspected Bangladesh nationals had been taken into custody. He claimed that some intruders, accused in serious criminal cases such as human trafficking, were using fake Aadhaar cards and passports and were “boldly seeking bail in courts”.

“This is an extremely shocking development,” Ashoka said, warning that if the situation continued unchecked, it could have “serious adverse consequences on the peace, social harmony and law and order of our state”. He demanded the immediate formation of an STF to track, verify and deport illegal immigrants.

The allegations drew a response from Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who acknowledged that Bangladesh nationals were settling in Bangalore, describing the city as peaceful. He said the Karnataka Police had been instructed to gather detailed information on the issue, but cautioned against vigilantism by BJP leaders or other organisations.

Parameshwara said he had directed Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem and Bangalore Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh to collect details of Bangladeshi nationals living in Bangalore and across the state.

“They will look into the facts regarding where they are living and whether they possess documents. The probe will ascertain how and from where they obtained these documents,” the Home Minister said. “They are behaving as if they are not Bangladeshis at all. We will verify this and take necessary action. We have already deported illegal Bangladeshis.”

With claims, counter-claims and political tempers rising, the issue has once again put illegal immigration in Bangalore at the centre of a sharp and potentially volatile debate.

 

 

HL: Audio bomb rocks Congress

Strap: Congress leader Rajeev Gowda faces outrage after alleged abusive, threatening phone call to Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner

 

OB Bureau

Purported audio clips of a Karnataka Congress leader allegedly abusing and threatening a woman Municipal Commissioner have triggered a political storm in the state, sparking outrage and putting the ruling party on the defensive.

The controversy centres on Rajeev Gowda, a local Congress leader from Chikkaballapur district, who is accused of hurling abuses and issuing threats to Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda over the phone. The alleged outburst followed the removal of an unauthorised banner erected in the middle of a road.

Rajeev Gowda is a KPCC state coordinator and the defeated Congress candidate from the Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency.

According to the complaint filed by the Municipal Commissioner, the trouble began after civic authorities removed an illegally installed banner following an accident. Enraged by the action, Gowda allegedly called the officer and issued a string of threats in abusive language.

In one purported audio clip, Gowda is allegedly heard demanding to know who ordered the banner’s removal and threatening to “set it on fire” if it was not reinstalled. When the officer asks him to mind his language and explains that the banner was removed due to safety concerns and kept in the office, he is allegedly heard saying he would “not remain human” if he came there and that everyone would be chased out of the taluk.

Despite the officer repeatedly pointing out that no permission had been taken for the banner, Gowda is allegedly heard escalating his threats, claiming that no one would be able to work even for a second if he decided so, and warning that officers would be beaten with slippers.

In another purported clip, Gowda is allegedly heard threatening consequences if the call was disconnected, warning of protests, dharnas and chaos across wards, and making repeated personal and caste-related remarks.

The incident has proved to be a major embarrassment for the Congress government, coming close on the heels of a recent banner-related clash in Ballari between BJP and Congress workers that resulted in the death of a Congress worker. Even before the fallout from that episode could settle, the alleged intimidation of a senior woman officer has fuelled fresh anger.

The alleged remarks have triggered a major political controversy, with the BJP demanding the immediate arrest of Rajeev Gowda under the Goonda Act, calling the episode a blatant case of intimidation of a woman officer discharging her official duties. Police are examining the complaint and the audio clips as the row continues to escalate.

 

HL: Kannada literature mourns Asha Raghu

Blurb:

Recognised with several honours, including the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award, across the State, she was remembered by peers as a warm, accomplished & humble person

 

OB Bureau

Kannada writer and publisher Asha Raghu, 46, died by suicide at her residence in Bangalore’s Malleswaram on Saturday, police said.

According to police sources, Asha was found hanging inside a room in her house. The incident came to light when family members, alarmed after receiving no response after repeated contact, broke open the door. A case of unnatural death has been registered and further investigation is under way.

Police said Asha had been suffering from depression following the death of her husband, K.C. Raghu, who passed away two years ago. She is survived by her daughter.

Born on June 18, 1979, to Keshava Iyengar and Sulochana, Asha Raghu was a respected name in contemporary Kannada literature. She earned her postgraduate degree in Kannada from Bangalore University and began her professional life as a lecturer. In her early years, she was closely associated with theatre, television and cinema, contributing as a dialogue writer and assistant director.

Over time, she shifted her focus entirely to literature and publishing, remaining active in the Kannada book world for several years. As a writer, Asha carved out a distinctive voice, authoring acclaimed novels such as Avarta, Gata, Maye and Chittaranga.

Her short story collections included Aarane Beralu, Bogaseyalli Kathegalu and Aparoopa Purana Kathegalu, while her plays ranged from Choodamani and Kshamadana to Bangarada Panjara and Pootani and Other Plays.

A critical study titled, Avarta–Manthana, based on her novel Avarta, was also published. Her contribution to Kannada literature was recognised with several honours, including the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award and multiple awards from literary bodies across the State. Remembered by peers as warm, accomplished and humble, Asha Raghu’s death has left a deep void in Kannada literary circles.