J R Lobo attempts damage control after ‘communal’ remark

[email protected] (CD Network)
February 21, 2017

Mangaluru, Feb 21: Congress leader and Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo has attempted to convince the party leaders and Muslim groups in the coastal city that he had not intended to hurt any community in his recent Shivaji jayanti speech, which sparked a communal controversy.

jrlobo
Speaking on the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti in the city on February 19, Mr Lobo had quoted a controversial couplet of Shivaji’s court Kavi Bhushan, who apparently had a negative opinion about his contemporary Mughal rulers and Muslims.

Kavi Bhushan’s controversial Braj Bhasha (a Western Hindi dialect) couplet reads: Kashiji ki Kalaa Jaati, Mathura Masjid hoti/ Shiavaji na hote tho sunnat hoti sabki (Had not there been Shivaji, Kashi would have lost its culture, Mathura would have been turned into a mosque and all would have been circumcised).

Several Muslim activists in Mangaluru had strongly criticized Mr Lobo and accused him of trying to instigate animosity between communities in a communally sensitive city, by quoting such provocative couplets.

Brushing aside the allegation, Mr Lobo, who is also the chairman of state legislative backward class and minority welfare committee, said that for him people of all communities including Hindus and Muslims are equal and that he respects both mosques and temples.

“It was not my personal view. I had just quoted a poet. If anyone is hurt or annoyed by my speech, then I don’t hesitate to apologize. However, I did not hurt anyone intentionally,” he clarified.

Comments

sam
 - 
Wednesday, 22 Feb 2017

This man is acting as particular community's MLA, n not for all mangaloreans from the beginning, but ppl of Mangalore came to know his real face n will take necessary action in forthcoming election. He is good for his own community's few ppl.

Bopanna
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

Nothing wrong in what Mr.Lobo said

Mohammed
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

Myself a Congress follower but to be frank, I know JRB since he was a commissioner at MCC, he not in any favourable to Muslims,

Shaad
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

Tippu Sultan did the right thing. He may have killed some British supporters who was against India. Unfortunate that some escaped and as a result some hatemongers still living.

Shaad
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

He doesnt know that There was no Sringeri if Tippu not respond.
Shivaji was good ruler and Muslims leaders was holding all the position in his cabinet even his personal body gaurd was an Muslim.
Shivaji itself invaded many temples for wealth even Mughals doesnt and these RSS and Vatican thugs picturising Shivvaji as communal.

Shaad
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

Lucky Tippu Sultan was in Mysore, otherwise whole Mangalore would have gone to Firangis and their grand children.

His ancestors supported British against Tippu and still holding all properties in heart of Mangalore by l****ng british boots.
Even cemetary located in heart of city with acres.

Shaad
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

He showed his real face and trying to impress Sanghis. Does Congress need this kind of people? Day Congress and Night RSS.

He knows that doesn't need Muslim vote and eye on Sanghis and Hindus along with his Vatican tribes will reach winning margin.

manjunath
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

whats there to create ,its already created .

Shahul
 - 
Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017

Mr. Lobo you should apologize to the muslim community by hurting their feelings. In your speech you quoted the controversial couplet to appease certain community for vote bank politics.

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coastaldigest.com news network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has issued a high-alert warning to vehicle owners regarding a surge in cyber fraud targeting those looking to pay traffic violation fines. Fraudsters are reportedly exploiting recent government discount schemes on traffic penalties to deceive citizens.

The Scam: How Fraudsters Strike

Criminals are using SMS, WhatsApp, and social media to circulate suspicious links and APK files (Android application packages). They claim these apps allow users to pay e-challans at a discount.

•    Device Hacking: Downloading these unauthorized apps gives hackers full access to the victim's smartphone.

•    Financial Theft: Once the phone is compromised, fraudsters intercept OTPs and personal data to drain bank accounts.

•    Phishing Sites: Fake websites mimicking official portals are also being used to harvest banking credentials.

Already, two residents within Mangaluru city limits have reported significant financial losses after falling victim to these fraudulent apps.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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