CM lays foundation stone for Haj Bhavan

January 16, 2012

Bangalore, January 16: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday said his government will provide financial help to the minority community, like the way mutts and temples are being given funds.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for constructing a Haj Bhavan in Hegde Nagar off Bellary Road on the outskirts of Bangalore, he said his government will treat all communities equally and help activities of any community which is aimed at the wellbeing of society.

“The BJP government does not believe in helping religious mutts or temples alone. After coming to power, it has sanctioned maximum funds for the welfare of minorities. I want to see a Haj Bhavan in the city which is among the best in the country,” he said.

Of 60 to 70 lakh Muslim population in Karnataka, about 50,000 go on Haj pilgrimage every year and the Haj Bhavan had been a long standing demand of the pilgrims. Of the total 40 crore project to construct Haj Bhavan, the government has already released Rs 15 crore. The remaining money will be released as and when it is required, he said.

Displaying his anguish over neglecting senior Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief at a public function, JD(S) legislator Syed Zameer Ahmed Khan vadalised chairs and tables right in front of the Chief Minister.

Khan was initially upset against the organisers for mentioning Sharief's name at the bottom of the invitation. When Secretary to Minority Welfare department Syed Zameer Pasha did not heed to Khan's request to welcome Sharief soon after the Cabinet Ministers, the JD(S) MLA broke the drinking water glass into pieces and flung chairs and tables to register his protest.

Khan, who is a MLA from Chamarajpet and a member of Karnataka Haj Committee, complained that Sharief has been neglected despite his being a prominent leader of the minority community. Some supporters of Khan and Sharief started shouting slogans. When the situation seemed to be going out of control, Sharief himself intervened and pacified them all.

Later, Gowda took exception to Khan's style of protesting. "I feel sorry for this incident. I did not expect him to lose his temper so fast. I am the Chief Minister of 6.5 crore people of Karnataka and also a humble man. Anyone from Muslim community can come and meet me any time. But such angry outburst is undesirable,” he stated.

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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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