Muslim leader keep off as district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao holds meeting in Mangaluru

MANGALURU: Several Muslim leaders chose to maintain their distance when Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao held a public meeting at the Circuit House here on Saturday. Two days ago, many had quit the Congress in the district following the murder of Abdul Rahiman, a pickup truck driver, to make their displeasure known to the party.

On Saturday, those who are usually seen with the minister chose to stay away and only MLC Ivan D’Souza and KPCC secretary Padmaraj were with Dinesh Gundu Rao. Some Congress activists are also demanding that the district in-charge minister be changed.

During the minister’s press conference, when he was speaking about provocative speeches, former member of the Ullal town municipal council, Usman Kallapu, got up and said that Abdul Rahiman’s murder was the result of hate speech. Angered by this, the minister ordered that he be escorted out. As regards hate speech, the minister was in favour of new laws or amendments to existing laws to ensure stricter punishment.

Speaking about the seven deaths due to the rain havoc and landslides in the district, Dinesh Gundu Rao said what happened in Ullal was unfortunate. “Three people of one family died while the three who survived are being treated in hospital. We also visited the family of 10-year-old Nayeema who died in the compound collapse. We are taking steps to release compensation and I have directed the officials to ensure that such instances do not recur”, he said.

Referring to the resignation of Muslim leader from the Congress, he said it had not come to his attention. “I will not speak about the resignations and I am here as a representative of the government. My responsibility is the ensure peace and put an end to communal killings. Some people try to take political mileage from such issues, but all communities are the same to me. The timing of my visit depends on the prevailing circumstances”, he reasoned.