SIO demands Kageri's resignation for 'provocative statement'

Mangalore, July 19: Dakshina Kannada district unit of Students Islamic Organisation of India on Tuesday staged a protest in front of the Office of Deputy Commissioner here demanding the resignation of Minister for Primary and Higher Education Minister Vishveshwara Hegade Kageri for his recent 'provocative statement'.

Mr Kageri had stated that those who oppose the Bhagvad Gita Campaign should get lost from India.

Addressing the protesters Arafa Manchi, said that the minister's statement has not only hurt the sentiment of majority of the people of this state, but also insulted the constitution.

“Being custodian of a responsible position like Education Minister, Mr Kageri has articulated against the spirit of constitution and secularism”, he pointed out.

He said that Kageri's statement depicts as if he has forgotten the existence of democracy in the state.

“Such irresponsible and irrational statements lead to the disharmony in the society. As constitution itself guarantees the right to assess the authorities, statement of Education Minister raises suspicions over his understanding of Constitution,” he said.

The protesters demanded that Kageri should resign or the Chief Minister should exclude him from the cabinet immediately.

Mohammad Nisar, DK district Organiser of SIO said, that SIO supports the introduction of human and moral values in education system by means of religious scriptures, but, at the same time it demands that religious sentiments of other part of student community should not be hurt.

“This process should be complementing to all the religions, castes and beliefs and not the compelled enforcement of particular faith. If the government itself fails in leading the way of upholding constitutional values, the same cannot be expected from the public”, he said adding that the Minister himself has to bear the onus of consequences of his statement.

He said instead of focusing on the enhancing the quality of government schools and preventing the rampant commercialisation of education, which is against our culture and values, it is unfortunate to observe his efforts in promoting misunderstanding among students and society. In these circumstances, SIO appealed the entire civil society to stand for the system and policies which are favorable to student community, he said.

Sarfaraz, President of SIO Mangalore, Musthaq Ahmed Patla, President of SIO West Region and others were present.