PFI holds demo in Udupi against 'unjust' Church attack report

[email protected] (CD Network)
February 8, 2011

Udupi, February 8: Udupi district unit of Popular Front of India on Tuesday evening held a protest in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, against the findings of the Justice Somashekhara Commission and demanded the Prime Minister, in a memorandum, to order for a CBI inquiry in to the cases of serial attacks on churches in the state.


Rev Fr William Martis of Udyavara Church, President of Social Democratic Progressive Alliance, Udupi unit, Rehaman Malpe, President of Popular Front of India Nehamath Ali, Secretary Rafique Majoor and others participated in the protest.


In a memorandum, addressed to the PM, submitted to the DC, they said that the Commission that had showed some hopes in its interim report did not give justice to minority Christians in its final report.


“Activists like Mahendra Kumar, MB Puranik and Pramod Mutalik of Bajarang Dal, Srirama Sene and other fanatic organizations openly agreed to have attacked the temples and also justified the same. It was also painful to know that even the police were involved in the assault against the Christians and the state government machinery had a soft corner against the culprits. Moreover, the government was lethargic to take action against the accused. When this is the case, the Commission has given a clean chit to the fundamental activists and also to the government. So we demand the Union government to order for a CBI inquiry,” they said.


A similar protest was held in front of Taluk Office, BC Road on Tuesday.

Addressing the protestors, Muhammad Riyaz, President, Popular Front of India, Bantwal District, said that the report which submitted by Justice B.K. Somasekhara Enquiry Commission about the serial church attacks in different areas of Karnataka state is a shocking one. Criticising the contradictions in the interim report and final reports, he revealed that the Commission had said in its report that the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal are openly involved in the attacks and police were mute spectators. The final report was prepared with the intension of rescuing leaders of BJP and Sangh Parivar, he added.

Expressing the disapproval of the report and the act of the state government, Riyaz dared BJP to hoist the national flag at central office of RSS instead of hoisting it in Lal Chowk.

Abdul Razaq Seema, Member of Puttur District Council, Popular Front of India in his address, asked the Christian community not to expect justice even from the Central Government regarding the justice on church attack issue. Until the effective allocation of justice, freedom and rights to the Indian citizen is not carried out, Popular Front will continue its struggle in the path of constructing a democratic nation, he disclosed.

Deekayya, Chief of Samaja Parivarthana Vedike, DK, said that most of the prime ministers of India including Manmohan Singh, weren't upholding the values of liberty, equality and fraternity mentioned in the constitution. He also said that Somashekar Commission report is a deliberate attempt to mete out injustice and demanded a CBI probe into the issue.

Nazeer, BC Road division secretary welcomed all and Ismail Bava, Bantwal Division Council Member delivered vote of thanks.


Shahul Hameed S H, President, Bantwal Division PFI, Denail Sequeira, Ammembala Church and many others have gathered in the protest.

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coastaldigest.com news network
November 28,2025

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Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

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News Network
November 28,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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