From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 20: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday, March 20 termed those issuing death threats to Karnataka High Court’s three judges including Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, justices Krishna S Dixit and Khaji Jaibunnisa Mohiyuddin, who dismissed the petitions challenging the State Government’s order banning the wearing of hijabs by girl students belonging to Muslim community and enforcing uniforms on all students on the ground that hijab was not an essential part of Islam, as ‘’anti-nationals’’ and warned that they will be dealt with mercilessly.
“There will be no leniency for anti-nationals,’’ the Chief Minister said while speaking to media representatives on Sunday morning and held that the government was firm on maintaining law and order situation in the State and maintaining peace and communal harmony.
The decision of the State High Court must be honoured and respected by all, he said on the reports of some persons issuing death threats to High Court judges.
Bommai said the police have registered a case and have already taken a couple of persons into custody. ``We are investigating the case as it is a very serious matter,’’ he said even if some sections or persons did not find the judgement acceptable, it is the duty of everybody to obey the court orders.
“Any aggrieved person is free to approach the Supreme Court and seek redressal. But the acts of making threatening calls and provoking people will not be tolerated,” he declared.
The Chief Minister pointed out that a case has also been registered in Tamil Nadu as the threats originated in the neighbouring State. The Bar Council of the State High Court has also viewed the matter very seriously, he said.
Bommai said he has already directed the State Director General of Police to personally look into the case and take strict action.
The three High Court judges, including the Chief Justice, have been provided with Y Category security cover, he said.
The Chief Minister said the silence of the “pseudo secularists” on the death threats to the High Court judges was “very intriguing” and pointed out appeasement of one section of society is not secularism. “This is nothing but patent communalism,” he said and urged all sections of society to condemn such heinous acts and it undermines to unity and integrity of the country.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the tragic bus accident at Pavagada in Tumkuru district on Saturday and said the government will ensure that all buses do not exceed their capacity in carrying people. The bus operators flouting the norms will be liable for suspension of their buses, he said strict checking will be carried out.
Bommai said the injured persons will be shifted to Bengaluru if necessary for additional treatment and the government will bear the entire cost of the treatment.
60 conferred Sahakara Ratna Awards
The Chief Minister later participated in the Karnataka State Cooperation Federation and Cooperation Department’s function at Kengeri and conferred Sahakara Ratna awards on 60 eminent co-operators.
Cooperation Minister S T Somashekar, Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Tourism Minister Anand Singh, Excise Minister Gopalaiah, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Basavaraj, State Cooperation Federation President G T Deve Gowda, D V Sadananda Gowda, MP and others participated in the function.