Dalits demand ban on 'Made-Snana', 'Pankthi-bedha'

December 15, 2011

Mangalore, December 15: Leaders from various Dalit organisations urged the Deputy Commissioner to ban 'Made Snana' and discrimination in serving food (pankthibedha) to the devotees practiced in various temples.

At a SC/ST leaders' meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda on Wednesday, after a gap of one year, Dalits expressed displeasure over 'Made Snana' and sanctioning of DC manna land to a private individual in Dharmasthala.

Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samithi leader Shekhar Belthangady said “it is a shame that 'Made Snana' is practiced in Dakshina Kannada district. Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the assault on a leader who had questioned the ritual of 'Made Snana.' He was attacked as the Deputy Commissioner had withdrawn ban order on 'Made Snana.'

Reacting to it, Deputy Commissioner said that the ban order on 'Made Snana' was withdrawn to respect the feelings of the devotees.

“There was opposition while the government took a decision to ban 'Bethale seve' and Sathi system. Despite all the oppositions, these practices which were social evils were banned. Accordingly, 'Made snana' should be banned,” said Dalit leaders.

Dalit leader Bhanuchandra said, “Dalits are given the job of removing the plantain leaves after meals in the temples, which are under the government control. Why Dalits are not given a chance to serve rice? Dalits should also be appointed as the trustees of the temples. However, here only people belonging to Marati Naik community are appointed as trustees and not the leaders Koragas or members from other backward communities.”

The Dalit leaders opposed the handing over of DC Manna land in survey number 507, 508/1, 509, 521/1 to educational institution run by Nagarika Seva Trust in Belthangady. The DC said that as per the government order about 43.90 acre land has been sanctioned to private individuals.

Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda informed the meeting that 92 acre land has been identified in the district to be distributed among the landless Dalits.

Deputy Commissioner promised that he will hold SC/ST leaders' meeting once in three months at the district level and once in two months at the Taluk level under the leadership of Tahsildar.

Civil Rights Enforcement Cell Superintendent of Police Sarvotham Pai, Puttur Assistant Commissioner Sundar Bhat, Mangalore Assistant Commissioner Venkatesh, Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar and others were present.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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Nati koli saaru, fry, idli, vada and pongal on Siddaramaiah’s breakfast menu at DKS’ residence

News Network

December 2,2025

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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