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Congress has no moral right to use Babasaheb’s name: BJP leader

Bengaluru, Dec 24 (IANS) The Congress, which has repeatedly insulted Dr Ambedkar, has no moral right to use his name, said Dr P. Sudhakar Reddy, BJP’s co-in charge in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to the media at Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru on Tuesday, he remarked that Congress leaders were in despair after their defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana states.

He criticized the Congress for using Babasaheb Ambedkar’s name to protect their leaders despite insulting Dr Ambedkar by defeating him twice in the Lok Sabha elections. “The Congress government in the state has completely failed. They have not implemented the five guarantees properly and are imposing both official and unofficial taxes,” he said.

“Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, opposed the division of the nation and was against the imposition of Article 370. He criticized the Congress for declaring a state of emergency and turning the country into a jail. Congress is engaging in vote-bank politics,” he said.

Reddy accused Congress of trying to tarnish the reputation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah but asserted that the people of the country have faith in both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. He stated that Congress is once again using Dr Ambedkar’s name for political purposes, but people are aware of the true nature of Congress.

He credited Amit Shah with exposing Congress’ wrong policies to the public and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for tirelessly working toward a self-reliant and Independent India.

He further criticized Congress for being unable to accept a man from a humble background serving as the Prime Minister for over 10 years and targeted Rahul Gandhi for disrespecting their own UPA former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Reddy described Dr Ambedkar as the creator of an excellent Constitution, which he referred to as a blessing to the nation.

The BJP leader expressed disappointment over local ministers speaking disrespectfully about Amit Shah, calling it unbecoming conduct.

Former Minister and MLA Janardhan Reddy, who also spoke, mentioned that Yuva Morcha presidents from all 30 districts of the state participated in a programme on good governance under the leadership of Dr P. Sudhakar Reddy as part of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary celebrations.

He said there were discussions on organising year-long events to commemorate Vajpayee’s birth centenary.

Reddy mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had highlighted instances of how Congress disrespected and insulted Dr Ambedkar in Parliament.

He criticized Congress for invoking Dr Ambedkar’s name today, despite their history of disrespecting him.

–IANS

mka/dpb

Dharmasthala murders: Complainant reveals his connection with activists, Delhi trip

Bengaluru, Aug 30 (IANS) In a major twist in the alleged Dharmasthala murders case, the complainant, Chinnaiah, has revealed his connections with activists and also disclosed details of a trip to Delhi prior to making sensational allegations of rape and the murder of hundreds of women and girls in the temple town located in Karnataka’s Mangaluru district, sources confirmed on Saturday.

Following these revelations, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) brought the complainant to Bengaluru and conducted searches and ‘mahazar’ (on-site investigation) operations at the residence of T. Jayanth, one of the leading activists opposing the temple management.

After several hours of search and mahazar proceedings, the SIT officials took the complainant — known as the “mask man” — to the office of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

On Sunday, he will be taken to the residence of another activist, Girish Mattennanavar, and later to Salem in Tamil Nadu, sources added.

Following the search operations, activist T. Jayanth told the media that the mask man had approached him with a skull about one-and-a-half years ago.

He claimed to have provided the mask man food and shelter at his home solely with the intention of ensuring justice.

Jayanth also revealed that he had travelled to Delhi with Girish Mattennanavar (another activist), Sujatha Bhat (another complainant), and the mask man in a rented car to meet certain individuals.

He also disclosed that they had met a well-known religious seer during the trip.

“If this is considered a crime, let the authorities punish me. I am ready. I haven’t received any notice from the SIT yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, some neighbours have alleged that Jayanth was involved in drug peddling activities in Bengaluru.

They also claimed that despite approaching the police, no action was taken.

In response, Jayanth denied all allegations, saying that one of the neighbours — who was evicted from the building — is making false accusations out of personal vengeance.

He added that he is willing to face any investigation.

Sources further said that the SIT is now focusing on the first skull the complainant initially produced.

The team is currently questioning the complainant and awaiting the DNA and soil analysis report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara has said that it is impossible to ask the SIT to submit its report on the alleged Dharmasthala murder case within a time-bound framework.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, “We have only asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the probe into the alleged Dharmasthala murder case. It is not possible to ask them to submit a report within a fixed timeframe.”

He added that it is currently unclear which direction the investigation is heading.

“If the investigation is completed early, the report will be submitted accordingly. Otherwise, the SIT will continue probing the case until they reach a conclusion,” he said.

In a major development on July 11, the unidentified complainant — who claimed he had been forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala — appeared before a court in Mangaluru district and recorded his statement.

He requested that the bodies be exhumed in his presence and alleged that the victims bore clear signs of sexual assault.

According to him, the bodies were found without clothing or undergarments and had injuries consistent with violent sexual abuse.

These revelations have sent shockwaves across Karnataka.

Following the claims, a retired Supreme Court judge and several activists have demanded a Supreme Court- or High Court-monitored SIT probe into the alleged Dharmasthala murders, which may involve the deaths of multiple women, girls, and destitute men.

In addition, the whistleblower reportedly submitted a skull — allegedly recovered from one of the burial sites — to the SIT.

He was given protection under the Witness Protection Act and facilities were extended.

The police sources said that the protection under the Act given to the mask man has been revoked.

Following the serious allegations by the mask man, the authorities had excavated 17 points in temple town Dharmasthala.

–IANS

mka/khz

BEML secures additional order from Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation for driverless metro trainsets

Bengaluru, Dec 3 (IANS) BEML Limited, a leading multi-sector engineering and manufacturing enterprise under the Defence Ministry, has secured an additional order worth Rs 414 crore from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), an official statement said on Wednesday.

Under this expansion, BEML will supply six more driverless metro trainsets (36 cars) for the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase 2 (Reach 5), increasing the total order from 60 trainsets (360 cars) to 66 trainsets (396 cars).

The new trainsets will seamlessly interface with the Siemens signalling system and will operate on the Yellow Line corridor, further enhancing the capacity and efficiency of Bengaluru’s evolving urban mobility network. The BMRCL Management has once again placed its trust in BEML, recognising the company’s proven capabilities in delivering dependable and future-ready mobility solutions for the city, the statement said.

Designed and developed entirely at BEML’s advanced engineering facilities in Bengaluru, the state-of-the-art driverless trainsets feature a robust six-car configuration made from high-tensile Austenitic stainless steel, offering superior structural strength, safety, and durability. Each car is equipped with two roof-mounted saloon air-conditioners, ensuring optimal comfort and a modern travel experience for passengers.

This latest order is an extension of Contract 5RS-DM, originally awarded to BEML in August 2023 after competitive global bidding. The base contract, valued at approximately Rs 3,177 crore, includes the design, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and comprehensive maintenance of the metro trainsets for up to 15 years.

BEML Ltd Chairman and Managing Director, Shantanu Roy, said: “We are pleased to receive this repeat order from BMRCL, reinforcing our deep partnership and the trust placed in BEML’s technological and engineering capabilities. These additional trainsets will significantly expand the operational capacity of Bengaluru Metro and support the city’s fast-growing mobility needs. BEML remains committed to delivering world-class, energy-efficient, and reliable metro solutions for India’s urban transit systems.”

This follows an earlier order placed by BMRCL in March 2025, valued at approximately Rs 405 crore, for 42 additional metro cars for Reach 6, which increased that contract’s scope from 53 trainsets (318 cars) to 69 trainsets (360 cars), the statement said.

“As the largest rolling stock supplier to BMRCL, BEML continues to play a central role in strengthening Bengaluru’s mass transit ecosystem. The upcoming trainsets will integrate advanced technologies, including IP-based Passenger Announcement and Passenger Information Systems, a Passenger Saloon Surveillance System (PSSS) for enhanced onboard security, LCD-based Dynamic Route Maps, and electrically operated automatic doors synchronised with Platform Screen Doors to ensure greater safety and operational efficiency,” it added.

With this expanded order, BEML further reinforces its leadership in indigenous metro manufacturing and its commitment to shaping India’s next-generation urban mobility landscape, the statement said.

BEML Limited, a leading multi-technology ‘Schedule A’ company, plays a pivotal role in serving India’s core sectors, including defence, rail, mining, and construction, by offering world-class products.

–IANS

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