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.

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
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.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 16,2025

SMR1.jpg

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

SMR3.jpg

SMR2.jpg

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

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.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.