Karnataka to axe law VHP used to oppose Muslim DC's role in Puttur temple fest

March 23, 2016

Mangaluru, Mar 23: After Hindutva groups of Dakshina Kannada expressed their objection to a Muslim deputy commissioner's name on the invitation card of the car festival of a temple in Puttur, the Karnataka government has reportedly decided to repeal an act of 1997. The VHP had used the act to oppose the DC's involvement in the temple festival.

According to the sources of state government, the act is being repealed to uphold the secular nature of the Constitution.

The Karnataka Assembly witnessed huge uproar over the issue on Tuesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed the government's decision but the Speaker backed the DC suggesting the government that it could amend the law within 24 hours to provide legal backing to the IAS officer to preside over the temple festival in his official capacity.

The VHP and the Bajrang Dal had opposed the mention of IAS officer AB Ibrahim's name in the invitation card of a function of Mahalingeshwara temple.

It's the first time a bureaucrat's name was dragged into such a debate. Mr Ibrahim, who has attended several meetings with management committee of local temples, had expressed his displeasure with the sudden turn of events.

"This is not the first time my name is in the card, in the last two occasions also my name was there. I have been conducting this kind of temple administrative activities for over 2 years. Nobody has raised such kind of an issue in the past," Mr Ibrahim had claimed.

The government also came to the fore to defend the officer. "It is not about caste or creed, it is the post of DC. As DC he is in charge of A grade temples," Health Minister UT Khader said.

State Home Minister G Parameshwara also claimed such issues were being raised to "create disharmony, nothing else".

Karnataka has more than 50,000 Hindu temples administered by the state government which come under the Muzrai or the Religious Affairs Department. The Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrates are heads of all Hindu temples which come under the Muzrai department. They are in charge of the administration, but consult the local temple management in the process.

Comments

Chaddies will not come up in their life even if they give up chaddi to pant.....you cannot straighten dogs tail....right....they will remain chaddiies for ever.....

DEAR VHP TAKE NOTE THAT INDIA IS NOT A HINDHU COUNTRY .

INDIA BELONG TO MUSLIM CHRISTIAN HINDHU JAIN ETC ETC OK..

VHP NEVER FIGHT WTH BRITISH WHO ARE YOU TO APPOSE THIS.

VHP IS THE TERROR FOR INDIA ATTACKING THE MASJID CHRUCH .

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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