CM Stalin to visit Madurai today to inaugurate development projects

Bengaluru, Sept 20 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje and Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka, on Saturday, appealed to the Congress-led state government to extend the 15-day time frame fixed for conducting the socio-economic and academic survey, popularly known as the caste census.

The survey is scheduled to begin across Karnataka on September 22.

The leaders spoke to the media after attending a meeting of Vokkaliga community leaders in Bengaluru, chaired by Adichunchanagiri mutt seer Nirmalanandanatha Swami.

Union Minister Karandlaje said, “The meeting has decided that the caste census cannot be completed in 15 days, especially since the state will be celebrating the Navratri festival. More time should be given for the survey. To ensure the survey is conducted properly, people should also be given time to verify that their data is accurate. This facility should be made available online.”

She added, “It has also been decided that members of the Vokkaliga community should mention their religion as Hindu and caste as Vokkaliga.”

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka said, “Under no circumstances should our community be divided. The caste census cannot be completed within 15 days. During this time, the Dussehra festival will be celebrated, and in north Karnataka, several festivals will also be observed. People will be travelling during this period.”

He also added, “It has been decided to appeal to the government to extend the 15-day time frame for the caste census. All sub-castes of the Vokkaliga community should declare in the census that their religion is Hindu and caste is Vokkaliga. A decision has also been taken to oppose any attempt to divide the Vokkaliga community into sub-castes. The government is also urged to remove the Vokkaliga-Christian column. If the government does not respond, we will take to the streets.”

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi also alleged, “The Congress, while speaking about ‘vote theft’, is itself indulging in ‘caste theft’ in Karnataka. Initially, there were 877 castes in the state. That number was later increased to 1,511, and now 211 new castes have been added. Who gave the government the authority to increase the number of castes? By tagging Hindu castes with the Christian religion, this government is indulging in ‘caste theft’.”

He also said, “We will not allow this ‘caste theft’ to take place. We do not want an unscientific caste survey; it must be conducted scientifically. Why do they want to conduct the caste census during Hindu festivals? Tomorrow is Mahalaya Amavasya, when Hindus observe fasting and perform rituals for their family deities. The government expects them to abandon these practices for the census. If the Congress-led government had scheduled the survey during the festivals of other religions, there would have been large-scale violence.”

“Hindu castes are being wrongly attached to the Christian religion. A Brahmin cannot be a Christian, but the government has created a Brahmin-Christian column. Similarly, members of the Vokkaliga community cannot be classified as Vokkaliga-Christian. If injustice is done to our community, we will take to the streets.”

Nirmalanandanatha Swami said that the mobile number of every person should be collected during the caste census, and the data gathered must be made available in the public domain.

–IANS

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Nagpur, March 19 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Nagpur, has provisionally attached properties worth Rs 13.71 crore, including immovable assets in Chandrapur and Nagpur districts of Maharashtra, and movable assets in the form of bank balances across various accounts.

These actions are part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged scam related to the online tiger safari booking at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

The case revolves around Abhishek Vinodkumar Thakur and Rohit Vinodkumar Thakur, both partners of M/s Wild Connectivity Solutions (WCS), who are accused of defrauding the forest department.

The investigation was initiated after Maharashtra Police registered an FIR in Chandrapur District under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for alleged financial misconduct and misappropriation.

The ED’s probe revealed that WCS was contracted by the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to provide essential services, including the collection of entry fees, gypsy charges, and guide charges.

However, the Thakur brothers allegedly violated the terms of the agreement, resulting in a financial loss of approximately Rs. 16.5 crore during the fiscal years 2020-21 to 2023-24.

Earlier in January 2025, the ED conducted search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), leading to the seizure of assets worth Rs 1.42 crore, including gold, bullion, and platinum jewellery.

Multiple digital devices and incriminating documents were also seized during the operation, which uncovered that the accused used the proceeds of crime to acquire properties in their names and those of associated entities.

The investigation is ongoing, and further actions are expected as the ED continues to unravel the extent of the scam.

–IANS

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Guwahati, Sep 25 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday arrested musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, who was part of the yacht trip in Singapore linked to the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.

Goswami has been a long-time associate of the late singer, and he accompanied the music maestro in Singapore.

Officials confirmed that Goswami has been taken into custody for questioning, though details of the allegations against him and whether formal charges will be pressed are yet to be disclosed.

Meanwhile, sources said that entrepreneur Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the Northeast festival in Singapore where Garg was scheduled to perform, may also be arrested soon.

According to sources, Mahanta is currently at the Guwahati airport and has reportedly contacted the CID expressing willingness to surrender.

In addition, several members of the Singapore Assam Association are under the scanner and could face detention.

Authorities indicated that more individuals accused of alleged irregularities surrounding the incident are likely to be apprehended in the coming days.

Notably, Assam bid an emotional farewell to music icon Zubeen Garg, who was cremated with full state honours at Kamarkuchi on the outskirts of Guwahati.

In keeping with his wish, fans sang ‘Mayabini’ – the song he once said should be sung when he passed away – as thousands joined the final journey under the blazing sun.

The track, first featured in the 2001 Assamese film Daag, held a special place in the singer’s heart. The funeral procession began from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex and drew massive crowds along the route.

Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Sarbananda Sonowal, MoS Pabitra Margherita, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries paid their respects.

Garg’s body was laid to rest after a second autopsy confirmed no foul play in his death.

The 52-year-old singer had died in Singapore on September 19 while swimming.

Adding to the poignant scenes, his family brought his beloved dogs – Iko, Diya, Rambo, and Maya – for a final goodbye.

Garg, whose music cut across genres, was more than just a singer for Assam – he was a cultural phenomenon who shaped a generation’s soundscape.

–IANS

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