Dalits demand Pejavar seer's arrest

[email protected] (News Network)
June 14, 2011

pejavar

Udupi, June 14: Members of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Monday protesting against the statement of Vishvesha Tirtha swamiji of Pejawar Math on the conversion of 2,000 Dalits into Buddhism.


DSS State unit organising convenor Prakash Byadarahalli said the claim of the swamiji that Buddhism was a part of Hinduism was false. “Buddhism treats everyone equally and emphasises on cooperative living,” he said.


Casteism was rampant in Hinduism. There were nearly 6,700 cases of atrocities on Dalits in the State but action had not been taken on these cases and the guilty were roaming free. The Pejawar seer could not digest the fact that 2,000 Dalits embraced Buddhism in Udupi on May 24.


His statement that untouchability could not be eradicated by Dalits embracing Buddhism pointed to his disappointment and cynicism. It reflected the bankruptcy of the priestly class, Mr. Byadarahalli said.


In a memorandum addressed to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and submitted at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, the DSS said the Pejawar seer should accept the fact that the Dalits were not Hindus since ancient times. He should explain how the Dalits were Hindus and why they should stay with Hinduism. The incidents at Chandragutti and Savadatti, which took place a couple of decades ago, showed how a religion could behave with its adherents. The seer should first put an end to the social evil of 'Devadasi' system. Then the seer could take up the issue of giving “Deekshe” to the Dalits.


Conversion was a right given by the Constitution. India was a secular country which treated all religions equally. The Dalits need not take lessons on religion from the Pejawar seer.


The Pejawar seer's statement that casteism could not be wiped out was unconstitutional and a provocation to disrupt social harmony. The Government should take legal action against the swamiji under the Untouchability (Offences) Act, the memorandum added.


DSS leaders Hovappa Master, Shyamraj Birti, and T. Manjunath Giliyaru were present.

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News Network
November 22,2025

The Karnataka government has announced a 50% rebate on pending traffic and transport fines. The discount is available from November 21 to December 12.

The rebate applies to all traffic e-challans and violation cases booked by the RTO between 1991–92 and 2019–20. Officials clarified that the offer is not applicable to pending tax dues and is restricted only to traffic-violation fines.

Across Karnataka, more than 4 lakh RTO cases remain pending, including those involving transport vehicles. While thousands of vehicle owners have already cleared their dues, the department expects to generate substantial revenue through this limited-period rebate.

How to Pay and Avail the Discount

There are three ways to check and pay your pending fines:

1. Through Mobile Apps
Available on both Play Store and App Store:
•    Karnataka State Police (KSP) app
•    KarnatakaOne app
•    ASTraM app

Steps:
•    Enter your vehicle number in any of the above apps
•    Verify the photo/details of your vehicle
•    Pay the fine with the 50% discount applied

2. Visit a Traffic Police Station

You can pay your pending fine at any nearby traffic police station.

3. Visit the Traffic Management Centre (TMC)

•    Location: First Floor, Infantry Road, near Indian Express, Bengaluru

Transport Commissioner Yogeesh A M said, “We don't issue e-challans, so there's no online payment system.”

The department estimates ₹52 crore in pending RTO fines up to March 2020. “With the 50% rebate, we expect to collect around ₹25 crore if all dues are cleared,” he added.

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News Network
November 21,2025

malpe.jpg

Udupi: The Malpe Police have arrested two men from Uttar Pradesh for allegedly sharing classified information related to Indian Navy vessels with individuals in Pakistan, posing a serious threat to national security.

According to a complaint filed by the CEO of Udupi Cochin Shipyard, Malpe—an institution under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways—the prime accused, Rohit (29), was working as an insulator through subcontractor M/S Shushma Marine Pvt Ltd. He had earlier served at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala, where naval ships are under construction.

Udupi SP Hariram Shankar said the accused had unlawfully shared, via WhatsApp, confidential identification numbers of Navy-related ships and other classified details while working in Kerala, allegedly for illegal gains.

After joining the Malpe shipyard unit, Rohit reportedly continued collecting sensitive information through a friend in Kochi and circulated it to unauthorised individuals, violating national security protocols and potentially endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

Based on the complaint, Malpe Police registered a case under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

A police team led by Karkala Subdivision Assistant Superintendent of Police Harsha Priyamvada—along with PSI Anil Kumar D, ASI Harish, and PC Ravi Jadhav—conducted the investigation and arrested the two accused, identified as Rohit (29) and Santri (37), both residents of Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.

The duo was produced before the court, which remanded them in judicial custody till December 3. Further investigation is in progress.

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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Mangaluru East police have registered a case following a sophisticated online fraud where a 57-year-old local resident was allegedly cheated out of ₹13.4 lakh after being targeted on Facebook.

The scam began in February when the complainant, while browsing Facebook reels, was contacted by a woman identifying herself as "Lillian Mary George" from London. After establishing a chat relationship, the woman claimed she would visit India in November and bring a significant sum of money.

The trap was sprung on November 15, when the victim received a call from a woman named "Sonali Gupta," who claimed Lillian had arrived at Mumbai International Airport but was detained by customs. The fraudsters convinced the man that Lillian was carrying £25,000 (about ₹26 lakh) in traveller’s cheques and 1 kg of gold (valued at around ₹30 lakh).

Under the pretense of clearing these items, the victim was asked to make numerous online transfers between November 15 and 18 for various bogus charges, including:

•    "Pounds exchange registration"
•    "Customs declaration issues"
•    "Discount charges"
•    "Money-laundering charges"

Believing the fictitious story, the complainant transferred the cumulative sum of ₹13.4 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He realised he was cheated when the culprits later promised a refund within two days but stopped answering his calls. The Mangaluru East police are now investigating the case, which highlights the continuing threat of transnational cyber fraud using social engineering and promises of fictitious wealth.

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