HDK accused of ‘outraging the modesty of woman’ after he criticised a female agitator

News Network

November 20, 2018

Bengaluru, Nov 20: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has faced an unexpected charge over his statement against a female agitator after a group of farmers laid siege to Suvarna Soudha and damaged public property in Belagavi.

Quoting Sections 509 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a Bengaluru-based organisation, Karnataka Karmika Kalyana Prathishtana, has lodged a complaint with DG & IGP Neelamani N Raju, accusing Kumaraswamy of "gesturing or acting intending to outrage the modesty of a woman and intentionally insulting with an intent to provoke breach of the peace (sic)."

However, there is no official confirmation by the DG & IGP's office about accepting the complaint.

According to the complaint, a copy of which is available with coastaldigest.com, the association, based on the television footage and newspaper reports and on behalf of the farmer woman, lodged a complaint through an e-mail directly to the DG & IGP.

The organisation has sought suitable action against the chief minister under the above sections.

Hours after a meeting with sugarcane farmers in Belagavi was cancelled, farmers laid siege to Suvarna Soudha on Sunday.

Among the protesters was local activist Jayashree Gurannavar against whom the chief minister said: "A woman (Jayashree) has criticised me stating that I am not fit to govern the state. How can I be held responsible for some company not paying proper prices for sugarcane four years ago? What is the connection between me and this issue? Where were you sleeping four years ago?"

The statement came in for widespread criticism and may cause trouble in the Monday's Cabinet meeting with Congress ministers expected to raise the issue.

Jayashree had said that police personnel who tried to close the gate, wrapped a chain around her neck. "I am a farmer woman. I am prepared to spill my blood for the cause. The chief minister has gone back on his word," she had remarked.

"I own land at both my parent's and my in-laws' houses. I work in these fields. He (CM) has insulted me for raising my voice for the cause of aggrieved sugarcane farmers," she added.

Farmers organisations and the Opposition BJP have sought an apology from Kumaraswamy.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

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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