Sharath and Ashraf Families will be Compensated – Ramanath Rai

Sharath and Ashraf Families will be Compensated – Ramanath Rai

Let Shobha and DVS Contest against Me and Khader and Win the Elections – Ramanath Rai

Mangaluru: “Dakshina Kannada is the city of Intellectuals but from some years the district has become famous for the wrong reasons. After the Congress party came to power, the government has fulfilled most of the promises made in the election manifesto. The opposition cannot digest the success of the Congress party and some communal forces are trying to destroy the peace in the district. In our district, some untoward incidents have taken place and communal organisations from both the communities are behind the communal disturbances in the district. Even though the Congress party workers are not involved in any of the incidents that have taken place, some leaders of the opposition are spreading rumours about us”, said the district minister in-charge Ramanath Rai in a press meet held at the District Congress Office Mallikatta here on July 10.

Addressing the mediapersons Ramanath Rai said, “The Central Minister Sadananda Gowda, Udupi MP Shobha Karandlaje and former CM Yeddyurappa are sitting in Bengaluru and saying that the Congress is supporting communal violence. We never support those who are trying to spoil the harmony in the district. Congress is a secular party and has always worked to maintain communal harmony. The opposition is pointing their finger at us, but they have not done anything to bring peace and harmony in the district. Because of the inciting speeches by their leaders, communal harmony in the district has been affected. Innocents have become victims of the communal violence. The people of the district should live in harmony and should not give heed to false rumours. People should not believe in the rumours being spread through the social media. On July 13, a harmony meeting will be held at the DC office,” said Rai.

Further speaking, Rai said, “Shobha Karandlaje says that during the CM’s programme Section 144 was relaxed, Shobha does not have any knowledge about where section 144 was imposed, there was no section 144 in Mangaluru. When Jalil Karopady was killed we did not hold a procession. When Sharath has brutally assaulted, activists carrying Prabhakar Bhat and celebrating despite Section 144 in force in Bantwal. People should not take the law into their hands. Now the Sangh Parivar is blaming that cases have been filed for pelting stones, it is the duty of the police department to file cases under relevant sections against those breaking the law. One of the former minister says, “To maintain communal harmony in the district Ramanath Rai should not go to his hometown”. I do not have any other house to go. I have only one house, I do not spend more days in Bengaluru. The BJP leaders have houses wherever they go. The Enforcement Directorate should conduct a raid and investigate the source of Shobha Karandlaje and Sadananda Gowda’s assets.”

Rai also said, “The killing of Ashraf Kalayi and Sharath has pained us too. Sharath and Ashraf Families will be Compensated. When Vinayak Baliga, Harish Poojary, Praveen Poojary were killed why they did not protest? Were they not Hindus? When Karthik Raj was murdered they protested, but when the killer was from the family, the BJP stopped all their protests. I am trying my best to see that the murderers are punished according to the law. I also want the conspirators behind the murders to be arrested. Those who have committed the crime and those who are behind it should be punished. If I do anything wrong, I too should be punished,” Said Rai.

Rai challenged saying, “Shobha Karandlaje is blaming me and Khader for no reason which has hurt me. Instead of playing dirty politics let Shobha and Sadananda Gowda contest against me and Khadar and win the elections. Let us see who will win the elections”.

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader said, “Our priority is to maintain peace and harmony in the district. Some responsible leaders are giving irresponsible statements and taking advantage of the death of innocent persons. BJP is trying to maintain their identity by creating communal disturbances. If an electric pole falls in my or Rai’s constituency the opposition blames us for that. We are proud of the fact that people trust us. When Ashraf was murdered, the PFI called for a press meet and demanded Rai’s resignation. Now Sharath has been murdered and the BJP is also blaming us. They too called a press meet and demanded Rai’s and my resignation. Both Ashraf and Sharath were innocent and they were killed, their families will be compensated through the CM’s relief fund. When Sharath was brutally assaulted, none of the Hindus came forward to take him to the hospital, a Muslim youth admitted Sharath to the hospital. Most of the people do not want this fighting. 98% people of the district want peace and harmony, there are only 1 or 2 percent who create problems. The injured will also be paid their hospital charges. We have given full authority to the police to take action against the trouble mongers. Despite section 144, a procession was carried out. They go against the law, hold protest and procession and blame the Congress for communal violence. Because of the publicity from the opposition, I have grown to be a leader in the society and I thank them for criticizing me for everything,” said Khader.

Former Minister Abhaychandra Jain, District Congress President Harish Kumar, District Youth President Mithun Rai, Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza and others were also present.