Mysore regional commissioner to investigate saffron shawl issue

Mysore regional commissioner to investigate saffron shawl issue

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 2, 2012  : The State Human Rights Commission has directed the Mysore Regional Commissioner to conduct an investigation into the saffron shawl issue in which Seemanth Kumar Singh, the Mangalore police commissioner, and Channappa Gowda, the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, are allegedly involved. Accordingly, the two have been directed to appear before the regional commissioner on May 7.

On Dec 11, 2011, the DC and the police commissioner had been invited to be the chief guests of a flood lit sports event organized by Shri Rama Vidhya Kendra in Kalladka, an educational institution run by Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. The chief guests were seen wearing saffron shawls throughout the event.

A number of individuals and organizations had criticized the two for wearing saffron shawls. The Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (KKSV) had lodged a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta, the State Human Rights Commission, and the Home Secretaries at the centre as well as the state, in which it had stated that the act of wearing saffron shawls by two people holding responsible positions may intensify feelings of insecurity among minority communities.

In acknowledgment of the organization’s appeal, the State Human Rights Commission has directed the Mysore Regional Commissioner to investigate the issue.