Bangalore: CM promises sops to minorities

DHNS

Bangalore, 16 Jan 2012: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday said his government will provide financial help to the minority community, like the way mutts and temples are being given funds.

 

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for constructing a Haj Bhavan in Hegde Nagar off Bellary Road on the outskirts of Bangalore, he said his government will treat all communities equally and help activities of any community which is aimed at the wellbeing of society.

 

“The BJP government does not believe in helping religious mutts or temples alone. After coming to power, it has sanctioned maximum funds for the welfare of minorities. I want to see a Haj Bhavan in the city which is among the best in the country,” he said.

 

Of 60 to 70 lakh Muslim population in Karnataka, about 50,000 go on Haj pilgrimage every year and the Haj Bhavan had been a long standing demand of the pilgrims. Of the total 40 crore project to construct Haj Bhavan, the government has already released Rs 15 crore. The remaining money will be released as and when it is required, he said.

 

Zameer upset

Displaying his anguish over neglecting senior Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief at a public function, JD(S) legislator Syed Zameer Ahmed Khan vadalised chairs and tables right in front of the Chief Minister.

 

Khan was initially upset against the organisers for mentioning Sharief’s name at the bottom of the invitation. When Secretary to Minority Welfare department Syed Zameer Pasha did not heed to Khan’s request to welcome Sharief soon after the Cabinet Ministers, the JD(S) MLA broke the drinking water glass into pieces and flung chairs and tables to register his protest.

 

Khan, who is a MLA from Chamarajpet and a member of Karnataka Haj Committee, complained that Sharief has been neglected despite his being a prominent leader of the minority community. Some supporters of Khan and Sharief started shouting slogans. When the situation seemed to be going out of control, Sharief himself intervened and pacified them all.

 

Later, Gowda took exception to Khan’s style of protesting. "I feel sorry for this incident. I did not expect him to lose his temper so fast. I am the Chief Minister of 6.5 crore people of Karnataka and also a humble man. Anyone from Muslim community can come and meet me any time. But such angry outburst is undesirable,” he stated.