K Ashraf ready to join JD(S) if assured of ticket from Mangaluru South

coastaldigest.com news network
January 28, 2018

Mangaluru, Jan 28: Congress leader and former Mangaluru Mayor K Ashraf, who had quit and rejoined the party several times in the past, this time, has openly threatened to join Janata Dal (Secular) and bid adieu to the national party forever.

Mr Asrhaf, who is currently holding the post of the vice-president of the state unit of the minority cell of the Congress, told coastaldigest.com on Sunday that he would surely join JD(S) if it guarantees him a ticket from Mangaluru City South constituency in the looming Karnataka Assembly polls. The constituency is currently represented by Congress MLA J R Lobo, who had defeated BJP candidate Yogish Bhat in 2013.

“I am still in Congress. But, I have decided to quit the party. I am in touch with JD(S) leaders too and am ready to join the regional party if they are ready to field me from Mangaluru City South constituency this time,” said Mr Ashraf.

Mr Ashraf, who is known as one of the ‘ever-disgruntled leaders’ in the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee, had in the past repeatedly rebelled against party veteran B Janardhana Poojary.

In recent days, he has been obliquely criticising the senior Congress leaders and ministers from coastal Karnataka, whom he describes as “incapable of solving the problems faced by Muslim community” in coastal Karnataka in general and Mangaluru in particular. Ashraf says that despite serving the Congress for three decades selflessly, the senior leaders of the party often tried to sideline and suppress him.

According to sources, Mr Ashraf already has held first round of talks with three top leaders of the JD(S) – former PM H D Deve Gowda, former CM H D Kumaraswamy and party’s general secretary B M Farooq – wherein the former Mayor and three-time corporator put forth a set of demands including the ticket to contest from Mangaluru South.

Being a mastermind behind the formation of Dakshina Kannada Muslim Sanghatanegala Okkoota, an umbrella body of many local Muslim outfits in the coastal district, Mr Ashraf, in last couple of years, has led several agitations against alleged police atrocities against minorities and alleged failure of the state government to protect the interests of the minorities.

The JD(S), which is leaving no stone unturned to strengthen its base in coastal region ahead of the polls, is reportedly considering the demands of Mr Ashraf seriously. If it fields Mr Ashraf from Mangaluru City South, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also is likely to extend him support as part of tacit understanding with the JD(S).

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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News Network
December 5,2025

Mangaluru: In a significant step to curb online hate and intimidation, Mangaluru City Police have registered a suo motu case against multiple Instagram accounts accused of circulating alleged provocative and threatening content.

While monitoring social media activity on Tuesday, Kankanady Town PSI Anitha Nikkam identified the Instagram handle ‘team_targetttt_900’ for posting a hate message alongside images of lethal weapons. Another account, ‘team_nagara_900’, allegedly shared a threatening post targeting activist Bharath Kumdelu, tagging additional pages such as KARAVALI-OFFICIAL.

Several other accounts — including ‘immu_bhai.fan’, ‘target_boy_900’, ‘kings_of_manglore’, ‘team_target_boys.900’, ‘arshad_mangalore’, ‘target_ka19_ullal’, ‘team_target__’, ‘troll_tigersz_900’, ‘tr_group_900’, and ‘team_target_900’ — are also under scrutiny for spreading similar inflammatory material, police said.

Authorities have urged citizens, especially young social media users, to report suspicious pages and avoid engaging with groups that glorify violence or threaten individuals. Online hate can quickly escalate into real-world harm, and police stress that sharing or promoting such content can attract legal consequences.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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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. 

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