Protesters demand action against school for ‘defending rapist’

[email protected] (CD Network | Photos by Moany Gatty)

March 18, 2015

Mangaluru, Mar 18: Hundreds of people took part in a peaceful demonstration organized by the local unit of Sunni Students Federation (SSF) at Thokkottu junction near here on Wednesday to register their protest against the increasing violence against minorities in the region and sexual assault on an nursery student of Mangalore One School.

Addressing the protesters SSF leader K M Sideeq Montogoli criticized district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai for apparently ignoring the sexual abuse of three-and-half year old girl.

Terming the case as an insult to Dakshina Kannada, which is known as the district of intellectual and educated people, he said that the school, whose primary responsibility was to take action against the culprit and support the aggrieved parents, tried to defend the rapist.

Recalling the case of rape on a six-year-old student of Vibgyor High School in Bengaluru, he said that the school was forced to shut for several days even after school took action against the accused. Similarly Mangalore One School also should be forced to shut, he said. “Stringent action should be taken against the school,” he added.

He said that a massive conspiracy is being hatched by communal forces to communalize the minds of people in coastal Karnataka for political gains. Assault on human values, so called moral policing, sexual abuse of women and children etc are helping such communal forces, he said.

He said that recent communal incidents such as attack on places of worship belonging to minorities, so called moral policing, attack on students, preventing school trip, creating riot etc intend to divide people ahead of local body elections.

He said that district administration and police should take steps to protect the people who are being targeted by the miscreants without any provocation.

Lank of action from the district administration resulted in the increase of cases of violence against children and weaker sections of the society, he said.

Mr Montugoli also said that communal forces are trying to destabilize the Mangaluru constituency represented by health and family welfare minister U T Khader through moral policing and communal riots. Several leaders of SSF and Muslim clerics took part in the protest.

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Five-Star Revolution: Mangaluru’s ₹500 Crore Hospitality Leap to End Luxury Drought

News Network

January 16,2026

Mangaluru: Mangaluru’s skyline is set for a high-end transformation as the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada prepares to shed its reputation for lacking premium hospitality. In a massive show of confidence, entrepreneurs have committed nearly ₹500 crores toward the construction of four new five-star hotels, a move experts say will finally plug the "luxury leak" to neighboring states.

For years, Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has served as a gateway for high-net-worth travelers who, upon landing, promptly departed for Kerala or Kodagu due to a dearth of elite accommodation in the city. These new projects, three of which are backed by local visionary investors, aim to turn Mangaluru into a destination rather than just a transit point.

Mapping the Luxury Boom

The expansion is already in motion, with two major landmarks leading the charge:
•   Gurupura Property: Construction is already underway on a premier resort-style hotel.
•   Kuloor Hub: A sophisticated urban luxury hotel has been proposed for this strategic area.
•   Timeline: All four projects are slated for completion within the next 24 months, promising to fundamentally alter the region's tourism profile by 2028.

Why Now? The Investor Demand

The push for five-star infrastructure isn't just about tourism; it’s a direct response to the city’s industrial and academic evolution. Stakeholders from the IT and corporate sectors have long flagged the lack of premium suites as a hurdle for international business investments.

"Mangaluru is an powerhouse of mega-industries, medical excellence, and a burgeoning IT scene," noted a senior Tourism Department official. "It is an anomaly that a city with this much economic muscle has lacked a five-star anchor. By offering premium hospitality, we aren't just housing tourists; we are inviting global investors to stay, engage, and invest more deeply in our coast."

Strategic Retention

The "drain" of visitors to the neighboring state of Kerala has been a long-standing grievance for local businesses. With these new properties, the district administration expects a significant multiplier effect—benefiting local sightseeing, high-end retail, and the burgeoning medical tourism sector. As Mangaluru accelerates on its development trajectory, the message to the world is clear: the coast is finally ready to host you in style.

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