RSS chief’s Ram Mandir remarks in Udupi an attempt to influence judiciary: PFI

coastaldigest.com news network
December 1, 2017

The Central Secretariat meeting of Popular Front of India has strongly condemned the remarks of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Dharma Sansad held in Udupi that ‘only Ram Mandir and nothing else will be built in Ayodhya’ where saffron extremists had demolished historic Babri Masjid.

PFI Chairman E Abubacker presided over the meeting.  General Secretary Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Secretary Abdul Wahid Sait and E M Abdul Rahiman participated in the discussions.

A release issued by the PFI following the meeting, stated that the RSS assertion days before the Supreme Court begins its final hearing on the appeals in Babri Masjid – Ram Janmabhoomi case is an attempt to influence the apex court and it amount to contempt of judiciary.  His further remarks that it was ‘not a populist declaration, but a matter of faith which will not be changed’ also amounts to a veiled warning to the apex court that it need not look into records and facts of the issue because it is “a matter of faith” only. The meeting urged Chief Justice of India to view this declaration seriously and initiate contempt proceedings against Mohan Bhagwat and other Sangh Parivar leaders who are indulged in similar activities.

The meeting also demanded an enquiry under the supervision of Supreme Court into the allegations made by the family of Central Bureau of Investigation judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya about the circumstances of his death in 2014. Justice Loya was presiding over a Special CBI court in Mumbai, where he was hearing the fake encounter killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, in which BJP president Amit Shah was one of the accused. Amit Shah was Gujarat home minister when the fake encounter took place. The family of Justice Loya has raised a number of valid questions and many suspicions which remain unanswered to this day regarding his death.  It was also reported in media that Justice Loya’s sister alleged her brother was offered Rs 100 crore as bribe by Mohit Shah, then the chief justice of the Bombay High Court, to deliver a judgment favourable to Amit Shah in the case, the release said.

The meeting welcomed the Supreme Court decision to free Haidya from the illegal custody of her father, but pointed out that justice still remains incomplete as the court did not allow Hadiya to be united with her husband as per her wish. Hadiya’s husband went to Supreme Court against Kerala High Court decision which annulled her marriage on the strange ground that Hadya’s parents were not present at the function. The meeting hoped that Supreme Court will give final approval to the freedom of an adult woman to have a husband of her choice, it said.

Meanwhile, the meeting criticized the approaches and actions of National Investigative Agency in Hadiya case. Without any qualm, to the last moment they did everything to obstruct natural justice and fundamental rights to a helpless woman and to further prolong her illegal detention. In the process, they tried to destroy the Hadiya’s person by creating suspicion in the court even about her mental sanity. This will remain a blot in the history of the investigation agency. In Hadiya case NIA is simply acting as the stooge of the communal fascist forces that are determined to undermine the rights of the citizens.  The meeting appealed the civil society, secular parties and civil rights activists to be alert about communalization of investigation agencies.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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