Poojary turns 'social reformer'; offers kumkum, jasmine flowers to widows

September 20, 2011

Mangalore, September 20: In what could be termed as a new initiative in Hinduism, former Union Minister and the patron of Shri Gokarnatheshwara Temple, Kudroli, has not only welcomed widows for impending Mangalore Dasara celebrations, but also proposed a special gift for them.

Mr Poojary told media persons here on Tuesday that the management committee of the Temple would distribute special gifts to 1500 widows as part of the Mangalore Dasara celebrations this year.

“Each widow will receive a saree worth Rs 300, a small-kumkum box, bangles, and jasmine flower - materials normally not part of her repertoire as per ancient religious traditions,” he said.

Stating that he is moved by the plight of the widows, who are treated in an inhuman way in the Hindu society, Mr Poojary said he took this initiative to change the mind-set of the people.

“This Poojary wants to show that being a widow is not a curse in society for woman” the Congress leader said in a reformer's tone. “We should respect all women, including widows”, he added.

“Unfortunately, widows have been boycotted from all religious rituals in our society. But, we have decided to bring a change. The Gokarnatheshwara Temple is now inviting the widows to participate in the Chandika Homa, in order to convey the message that widows are not responsible for their husbands' death and that they deserve to live a life of dignity”, he said.

Calling upon the men to come forward give a new life to the widows by marrying them, he said the Temple management would bear all the expenses.

Mr Poojary also appreciated a suggestion by a journalist to have a widow to inaugurate Mangalore Dasara, and said this could be considered for next year.

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HC refuses to quash probe against Mangaluru WhatsApp admin over offensive posts

News Network

February 1,2026

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash an investigation against a WhatsApp group administrator accused of allowing the circulation of obscene and offensive images depicting Hindutva politicians and idols in 2021.

Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that, prima facie, the ingredients of the offence under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code were made out. “The offence under Section 295A of the IPC is met to every word of its ingredient, albeit prima facie,” the judge said.

The petitioner, Sirajuddin, a resident of Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, had challenged the FIR registered against him at the CEN (Cyber, Economics and Narcotics) police station, Mangaluru, for offences under Section 295A of the IPC and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. Section 295A relates to punishment for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens.

According to the complaint filed by K Jayaraj Salian, also a resident of Belthangady taluk, he received a WhatsApp group link from an unknown source and was added to the group after accessing it. The group reportedly had six administrators and around 250 participants, where obscene and offensive images depicting Hindu deities and certain political figures were allegedly circulated repeatedly.

Sirajuddin was arrested in connection with the case and later released on bail on February 16, 2021. He argued before the court that he was being selectively targeted, while other administrators—including the creator of the group—were neither arrested nor investigated. He also contended that the Magistrate could not have taken cognisance of the offence under Section 295A without prior sanction under Section 196(1) of the CrPC.

Rejecting the argument, Justice Nagaprasanna held that prior sanction is required only at the stage of taking cognisance, and not at the stage of registration of the crime or during investigation.

The judge noted that the State had produced the entire investigation material before the court. “A perusal of the material reveals depictions of Hindu deities in an extraordinarily obscene, demeaning and profane manner. The content is such that its reproduction in a judicial order would itself be inappropriate,” the court said, adding that the material, on its face, had the tendency to outrage religious feelings and disturb communal harmony.

Observing that the case was still at the investigation stage, the court said it could not interdict the probe at this juncture. However, it expressed concern that the investigating officer appeared to have not proceeded uniformly against all administrators. The court clarified that if the investigation revealed the active involvement of any member in permitting the circulation of such content, they must also be proceeded against.

“At this investigative stage, any further observation by this Court would be unnecessary,” the order concluded.

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