Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jan 8: In an effort to make Dakshina Kannada a bandh-free district, a meeting was convened at the deputy commissioner's office here on Friday January 8 where officials, leaders and representatives from various organizations and individuals put forth their suggestions and opinions on the matter. While some opposed to the idea of banning bandhs, others welcomed it, and most of them sought an alternative means to bandh through which a strong message on any issue could be sent across to the ruling government.

In his introductory note, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "About one lac students come to this district every year to pursue their education. If a call for bandh is given every now and then and the environment continues to be tense, then they may not come to this district anymore. More than the loss, it is the image of the district that is getting bruised.

"In future, if there is a loss to life or property during bandh or if any person is found to be forcing others to close their shops, stern action will be taken against such persons," he warned.

Minister for forest and ecology and district incharge minister Ramanath Rai requested the gathering not to resort to bandhs.

"Please keep thoughts of bandh away from your mind. We are educated people. Do not assume that you or your views are suppressed. But when a few people cross limits and take the extreme path, there is a need to curb it. All of us are socially responsible. Let your statements be non-provocative so that it may not create issues for someone else. Protesting is everyone's right. But we have to balance between our rights and the duties. The district administration respects your opinion. Please do not resort to bandh," he urged.

Superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa called upon everyone to take a pledge to not resort to bandhs and thus make the district bandh-free.

"About 90 percent of the gathering here do not want bandhs, only ten percent feel that you can achieve your goals only through bandh. Please do not feel that through bandh you can pressurize the police department. because in reality nothing of that sort happens. Ultimately, the common man faces the brunt. You cannot achieve anything from bandhs.

"Over the years the district administration has become more responsive to people's concerns. We are handling every case with care. So please have faith in the system," he appealed.

Police commissioner Chandra Sekhar said, "In Bengaluru, there is a system where you can protest only at one place, that is the Freedom Park. Similarly, if we can arrange such a place in the city, the organizations can protest peacefully without disturbing the others. Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy. If a system is in place to ensure that it is peaceful, then it would be a fruitful exercise and there will not be a need to resort to bandh."

VHP district working president Jagadish Shenava said, "Even we do not support bandh, but we feel that it is only through bandhs that we can get results, as our protests are otherwise ignored and there is no outcome or result. If the admin does not allow a situation to deteriote, there will not be any necessity to hold bandhs. The district adminisration should suggest an alternative to bandh."

Kateel Dinesh Pai, also of VHP, said, "Bandhs have happened because we are hurt by incidents like cow slaughter. Even though we inform the police, such activities are not being stopped. Our protests are going in vain. If the government and the district administration correct themselves, there would be no bandh. In the past our sentiments have been hurt in the name of cow slaughter and Tipu Jayanti."

President of United Muslim Organization and former mayor Ashraf said, "Actually, bandhs are not frequent but communal clashes erupting now and then in the district. We have to take action against those who call for bandh. The last time when bandh was called, it was not exactly the organizations but the police who were observing the bandh by forcibly closing down shops in Kudroli and other areas."

Social activist Vidya Dinker said that there was a need for an alternative to bandh and an alternative means to address the issues from the government's side.

Mangalore Bar Association president SP Chengappa said that criminal case should be filed against those who resort to bandh and subsequently cause damage to life or property. "The organization calling for bandh should take permission a week in advance and give in writing that it would take sole responsibility for any damage caused during the bandh. If there is any damage to life or property during the bandh, a criminal case should be filed against the person or organization concerned. Only if these terms are agreed to, should permission for bandh be given."

President of Tulunada Rakshana Vedike Yogish Shetty said, "We do not support forced bandhs, but there is no other means to address the government when there are atrocities on people. Please do not curb our right to protest. We support peace but when bandh is observed and is highlighted in the media, only then the government listens to our voice."

Rahim Uchil of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike said, "We welcome the move to stop bandhs. But we need a means to tell the government what our problem is, and if the government does not listen to our protests, then bandh is the last resort. In the past many issues have been solved through protests and movements. At present the district is facing threat from Yettinahole project. If the people had not protested and called for bandh, our MLAs would not have spoken in the Assembly on it. Hence bandh should not be banned."

Mohammed Bawa cautioned that frequent bandhs would hinder investment in the city. "We are educated people. We should take a pledge to make Dakshina Kannada a model district. A lot of investments are coming into our district from overseas and other states. But if we hold bandhs for silly issues, investments would go waste and our youths would be forced to search for jobs in other districts, states or go out of the country. I urge the district adminstration to take stern action against those who call for bandh."

District secretary of CPI (M) Vasanth Acharya said, "Banning bandhs is not right. Even though we oppose bandh, it is the voice of the voiceless. As protests have borne fruit in the past, it is not right to ban bandhs."

Senior district law officer Alva explained the consequences of bandh and said there were different intrepretations to it. "The consequences can be both mental and physical damage. Even if a person does not get a bus, it amounts to mental agony. Damage to public property is a non-bailable offence. Even if one lac people support and one is against it, it becomes an offence. There is no proper law against bandh and the government has issued instructions to formulate the law. As of now we can only refer to judgements given by various courts."

When those among the gathering complained that their memorandums submitted in various protests were not being taken seriously by the district administration, the DC said, "All the memorandoms coming to my office will be taken seriously and within a week, discussion regarding the same will be convened.I request everyone not to lose their hope in the administration and the Constitution. Please do not give calls for bandhs."