The observer issue 27

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The Observer An IIJNM Publication

Lack of awareness about e-waste management across Bengaluru | P 2

Vol 18, Issue 27

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The Observer

@theweeklyobserver On the web: issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs/the observer

No road being constructed near Sompura Lake bed: urban conservationist | P 2

AAP looks forward to opening its account in Assembly | Dalit outfit flexes political muscle SC must withdraw its order: DSS AAP won’t go for tie-up in a hung assembly

‘Otherwise, dalits will vote against BJP, Congress’

Rayan Mitra

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Ayushi Singh

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he Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) on Tuesday protested against the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and demanded it be withdrawn. Led by N. Murthy, about 70 DSS members, carried banners and shouted slogans like “Nyaya Beku” (we want justice) near Mysore Bank Circle on K.G. Road, Bengaluru. Asked what their main demands were, Murthy informed The Observer : “The judgment should be withdrawn. Even genuine cases will be dropped. Previously because of this Act, there was some fear. Once a complaint is filed, the ac-

Dalit Sangarsh Samithi members and supporters raising slogans to protest against the Supreme Court’s judegement on SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act at Mysore Bank Circle | Credit: Ayushi Singh cused is to be taken into custody immediately. But now, anything can be done to escape action. Accused persons can use money power and get away.” Like the Centre, the Karnataka government doesn’t favour a review of the ruling. “If the Supreme Court verdict is not repealed, 85% of SC/STs and OBCs will vote against the state and central governments in the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The court verdict has done grave injustice to oppressed classes. There will be

unabated protests throughout India unless the Supreme Court reconsiders its verdict,” he said. People involved in over 15,000 cases of atrocities against SC/ STs will be given bail in the wake of the court judgment, he had claimed. Protester Sathish Kumar said: “We are here to support the DSS leader. We want the government to review the judgment; otherwise, we will have to end up boycotting the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.” ayushi.s@iijnm.org

he Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hopes to make a mark in Karnataka by winning 18 assembly seats in the May 12 elections. It will not join hands with any of the three big parties in a hung assembly. “We are on the right track,” state AAP convener Prithvi Reddy informed The Observer. “The BJP will face strong opposition from the Congress in the state. If there is a hung assembly, AAP will not align with any of the three major parties, they say. “An alliance can happen only between like-minded people. None of the parties seems eligible for that. So we will play the role of strong and responsible opposition,” Reddy said. He said there are five issues in these elections: corruption (he thinks Karnataka is the most corrupt state in India; absolute misgovernance and collapse of power; farmers’ interests; unequal development; and boosting economic activity.

Civic problems in Dinnur evade resolution Rachel Dammala

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ewage pipes under the bridge over a storm water drain in Dinnur, north Bengaluru, have not been cleaned for a decade, residents of the area say. The BBMP has ignored their pleas to change or clean the six pipes. “We asked the BBMP umpteen times, only to be ignored,” Shabbir Ahmed, a shopkeeper and resident of the area, informed The Observer. BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer Channa Basavaiah, however, had a different story to tell. “It is not the residents but we who have found out the problem. They haven’t informed us anything new. We have proposed a change of the pipes with 300cc ones and are awaiting a nod from Cauvery Bhavan (the building on

The construction of the bridge over the storm water drain took more than 3 months leaving commuters with no option but to cross the bridge with the help of passersby. The sewage chambers to be changed lie just beneath this bridge | Credit: Rachel Dammala Kempegowda Road that houses the BWSSB headquarters). Our corporator has informed the BBMP, for we will need their assistance.” The bridge over the storm water drain collapsed last monsoon. It took months to reconstruct it, spelling trouble for

commuters. They had to traverse a shaky makeshift bridge. As if these problems are not enough, right next to the bridge are cables belonging to BSNL and Airtel hanging dangerously. The makeshift bridge was put up exactly where these cables

dangle. “We have repeatedly appealed to BSNL and Airtel officials to remove these cables but to no avail,” said K. Raju, an autorickshaw driver and resident of the area. The residents said that they approached Ganesh Rao, corporator of the ward, but he failed to keep his promise to help resolve the issue. When The Observer contacted Ganesh Rao, he said work started almost a month ago, but stopped midway. “I applied for the tender and work began, but with assembly elections around the corner, nobody comes to work. Once the elections get over, work wills resume soon.” Anant Binoy, resident, said that months ago, Dinnur Road seemed full of problems. But then things started to change and hoped work will resume. dammala.r@iijnm.org

AAP candidate Mohd Abbas, is optimistic about the party’s prospects. “We are positive about the results. We have done very good ground work. The people of Karnataka appreciate honest politics. We have been going door to door across the constituencies. Our campaign consists of hard workers putting in their best.” Though it is up against Karnataka’s three big players, AAP aims to make a debut in the Karnataka assembly. “We look forward to winning a good number of seats. We will have a voice irrespective of the verdict.” AAP is particularly eyeing the Shantinagar constituency in Bengaluru since incumbent legislator N.A. Harris’ image has taken a beating following his son’s involvement in hooliganism in a cafe. Karnataka has no history of favouring AAP, in 2014 lok sabha elections AAP lost in all 28 constituencies. BBMP has also not seen any representation from the party. rayan.m@iijnm.org

Create jobs, win our support, says organization Manikankana Sengupta

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arnataka for Employment, an organization focusing on job creation in Karnataka, on Tuesday said it they will support a political party only if focuses on job creation. Ravi Narayan, member of the organization, said: “Contract employees are supposed to get the same benefits as permanent employees do. But that is not the case. They can be fired with just two weeks’ notice. In that case, they are afraid to complain.” Amurthy, another member of the organization, told The Observer: “If they fail to give jobs like they used to, we will not keep quiet. We are going to question them.” manikankana.s@iijnm.org


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