Bangalore: Havoc in Assembly over Uppinangady Speech, Malpe Rave Party
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Feb 7: The issue relating to rave party and alleged sexually explicit behaviour by foreign tourists during ‘Spring Zouk’ three-day festival of folk dances and music organized at St Mary’s Island near Malpe, Udupi, was raised at the state assembly on Monday February 6.
MLAs, U T Khader and Gopal Bhandary, who took up the matter through a call attention motion, wanted the speaker to permit detailed discussions on the issue, considering that the outrageous behaviour of foreigners was being aired on visual media.
Rave Party at Malpe
Chief Minister (CM), D V Sadananda Gowda stressed that there is no scope for obscene behaviour in the public during such festivals, and said that the deputy commissioner had told him there was nothing vulgar at the festival. “Such festivals are being held to promote tourism in coastal Karnataka. Our aim is to utilize tourism potential of the area, “ he clarified. He however, promised to do the needful after getting a report from the deputy commissioner.
It may be recalled that when this issue had been brought to the notice of the CM during his visit to Udupi, he had said it would not be possible to altogether avoid such things where attracting tourists is involved. Union minister, Veerappa Moily, had retorted by commenting that tourism growth should not be allowed at the cost of cultural corruption.
Congress MLA, U T Khader, pointed out that certain persons had tried to create unrest in the society by delivering provocative speeches targetted at minorities during a programme organized at Uppinangady in Dakshina Kannada district recently. He also recalled that the policemen also had to wield their canes to control the mob there.
Khader, who raised the topic at the assembly during zero hour, accused the government of trying to frame cases against the members of the minority community, who had held press conference for condemning attempts being made by communal elements for disrupting peace. He wondered how the persons who delivered communally provocative speeches were left untouched. “How can one expect minorities to keep mum, even when baseless charges are levelled against them? I am deeply pained by these developments,” he explained.
Objecting to what Khader said, Jeevaraj of the ruling party wanted Khader to reproduce properly what the concerned leaders had said at the press conference. Angered by this challenge, U T Khader, Gopal Bhandary,and other Congress MLAs let loose their anger against BJP MLAs, and demanded immediate response from the government.
Speaking on behalf of the government, law minister, Sursh Kumar, told the agitated legislators that home minister, R Ashok, was at that time, at the upper house, and therefore, the needful would be done once the minister returns to the assembly.
The same issue was also raised by U T Khader by way of call attention motion. In that case too, the government promised to provide response from the home minister.
G'rave' Issue:
'Verbal' Duel: