JD(S) leader accuses Cong of neglecting Hindus in coastal Karnataka; U T Khader hits back

coastaldigest.com news network

August 4, 2018

Mangaluru, Aug 5: Janata Dal (Secular) leader S L Bhoje Gowda has sparked row by accusing the Congress party of ignoring Hindus in coastal Karnataka.

Speaking to media persons in the city, the MLC said that his party, under the leadership of chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, will not lose the trust of Hindus by following the path of Congress.

According to Mr Gowda, the main reason behind Congress’ debacle in coastal districts of Karnataka in 2018 assembly polls is neglecting Hindus. U T Khader was the only Congress candidate to win in 13 assembly seats of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts whereas BJP won remaining 12 seats.

Mr Gowda urged the Congress to introspect on why the majority community members voted for BJP in large numbers this time though they had dumped the saffron party in 2013 Karnataka assembly polls.

Stating that polarization of Hindu votes resulted in BJP emerging as a single largest party in the state, he said that various developments occurred during the five years of Congress rule under the leadership of then chief minister Siddaramaiah are responsible for such polarization.

“Hence we will not commit such mistakes. The JD(S) leaders have been asked to give priority to Hindus along with minority communities,” he said.

U T Khader’s response

The unexpected remarks of JD(S) leader has evoked strong response from Congress leader and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U T Khader, who advised Mr Gowda to be cautious while talking about the coalition partner.

Mr Khader, who holds urban development and housing portfolios in H D Kumaraswamy-led JD(S)-Congress coalition government, said that Mr Gowda’s “irresponsible statement” would harm his own party.

“The allegation made against Congress that it sidelined Hindus is baseless. Congress is the enemy of communalism. It treats all communities equally and all communities vote for Congress,” he said adding that he would discuss the issue with senior leaders of his party.

Comments

Boje Gowda's boring statement no one will bother as everyone knows how Congress worked the development of entire India irrespective of gender cast color and religion.

Muslims should rethink when voting this communal JDS.

After BJP and Congress, now JD(S) too is becoming a standard-bearer of Hindutva.

Apparent attempt by cunning family-led party to win a couple of seats in coastal Karnataka in future. But, it’s a futile bid. No future for JD(S) in DK, Udupi.

Bore Gowda has no other job. Who are those jobless idiots with him. There is no space for JDS in coastal karnatak.

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Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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