Naxalism growing due to govt's neglect of adivasis: Pejawar Shree

March 10, 2011

Belthangady, March 10: The failure of government to distribute title deeds for Adivasis living in Kudremukh National Park and the negligence of the people towards their problem has resulted in the exacerbation of Naxalism in this part of the state according to chief pontiff of Pejawar Mutt Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji.

He was speaking after visiting Naydaguri area in Sulkeri near Belthangady on Wednesday, where houses of adivasis were demolished by revenue department recently.

Addressing the media persons the octogenarian Swamiji demanded an appropriate action against those, who demolished the houses belonging to aborigines.

Expressing concern over the problems faced by the adivasis, the religious leader turned activist said that he will exert pressure on the government and district administration to take immediate measures to distribute title deeds to the evacuated adivasis and make all necessary arrangements to lead a peaceful life.

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Campus politics: DKS pushes to restore student elections in Karnataka banned since 1989

News Network

November 26,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka is taking its first concrete steps towards lifting a three-decade-old ban on student elections in colleges and universities. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced Wednesday that the state government will form a small committee to study the reintroduction of campus polls, a practice halted in 1989 following incidents of violence.

Speaking at a 'Constitution Day' event organised by the Karnataka Congress, Mr. Shivakumar underscored the move's aim: nurturing new political leadership from the grassroots.

"Recently, (Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to me and Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) asking us to think about restarting student elections," Shivakumar stated. "I'm announcing today that we'll form a small committee and seek a report on this."

Student elections were banned in Karnataka in 1989, largely due to concerns over violence and the infiltration of political party affiliates into campus life. The ban effectively extinguished vibrant student bodies and the pipeline of young leaders they often produced.

Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Karnataka Congress president, said that former student leaders will be consulted to "study the pros and cons" of the re-introduction.

Acknowledging the history of the ban, he added, "There were many criminal activities taking place back then. We’ll see how we can conduct (student) elections by regulating such criminal activities."

The Deputy CM reminisced about his own journey, which began on campus. He recalled his political activism at Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya College leading to his first Assembly ticket in 1985 at the age of 23. "That's how student leadership was at the time. Such leadership has gone today. College elections have stopped," he lamented, adding that for many, college elections were "like a big movement" where leaders were forged.

The move, driven by the Congress high command's push to cultivate young talent, will face scrutiny from academics and university authorities who have, in the past, expressed concern that the return of polls could disrupt the peaceful academic environment and turn campuses into political battlegrounds.

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