Is Appeasement and Double Standards Fueling Unrest in Mangaluru?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of unrest in Mangaluru linked to Congress government actions.
- Double standards and appeasement politics are central themes.
- Community leaders emphasize the importance of equality in governance.
- Concerns over the withdrawal of affordable health services.
- Calls for transparency and accountability in local governance.
Bengaluru, May 31 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, has claimed that each time the Congress government assumes power in Karnataka, tranquility in the coastal district of Mangaluru is disrupted.
While addressing the media on Saturday at the BJP state office in Bengaluru, she asserted that the turmoil in the Mangaluru area stems from the Congress government's double standards and its appeasement policy.
She challenged Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, stating, "He asserted that Muslims in Mangaluru are not secure and feel restricted in speaking. What is he implying? Who is accountable for ensuring their safety? Why is safety not being provided?" She further indicated that Minister Gundu Rao’s remarks are nothing but a reflection of appeasement politics and a strategy aimed at a vote bank.
“Congress leaders are fixated on nothing but vote banks. The statement by Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar exemplifies this,” she charged.
“Dy CM Shivakumar remarked, ‘The people of Mangaluru seek government initiatives, but they don’t desire our (Congress party) presence.’ What does that indicate? Are governmental benefits only for those who voted for you? Should they be the only recipients of government schemes?” Shobha inquired.
“What is your purpose? What are you implying? We are confused,” she questioned.
“Previously, CM Siddaramaiah attempted to fracture communities based on caste. Even in 2013, during his initial term as CM, the Congress instigated divisions among communities. They sought to divide the Lingayat community and even organized school excursions solely for students of one caste,” she alleged.
Shobha Karandlaje, who previously represented the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha seat, originates from Puttur in the Mangaluru district.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda stated that the Congress’s policy of appeasement has relegated Hindus to second-class citizens while minorities have become first-class citizens. He noted that vote bank politics undermines development.
“There’s an increasing belief among minorities that no matter their actions, they will be tolerated because the state government backs them,” Gowda remarked.
He criticized the Congress, alleging that even affordable medicines available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras for ₹100 under the central government scheme—now sold for just ₹15 to ₹25—are being withdrawn by the Congress-led state government.
"Every citizen has the right to access benefits from any government scheme. If they didn’t intend for Mangaluru to be included, they should have specified it while drafting the scheme," Gowda stated.
He added, “Didn’t the Congress earlier attempt to create a separate identity for Kashmir? Let them attempt to treat Mangaluru separately as well—they’ll face the repercussions.”
Gowda further stated that the residents of Mangaluru and Udupi are individuals of integrity who detest corruption. “They believe in executing their tasks honestly without bribery. Since the Congress cannot extract commissions from this region, they are now attempting to exploit the district by forming an Implementation Committee,” he alleged.
Sadananda Gowda also warned that the day is approaching when the populace will take to the streets against the corrupt Congress-led state government.
Mangaluru is recognized as a stronghold of the BJP.