Circuit High Court Bench to be set up in Mangaluru before October: Ivan D’Souza

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 16, 2026: The demand for establishing a circuit bench or permanent bench of the High Court in Mangaluru is not merely a concern of lawyers but a legitimate demand of the people of the entire coastal region, said MLC and convenor of the High Court Bench Agitation Committee, Ivan D’Souza.

Addressing a press conference at the MCC office in the city, he said Chief Minister had acknowledged the legitimacy of the demand and that a circuit bench of the High Court would be established at the old DC office building in the city before October this year.

Long-standing agitation

Ivan D’Souza said the struggle for setting up a High Court bench in Mangaluru has been continuing for several years. Several representations have been submitted to the government and discussions have also taken place in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council regarding the issue.

He said lawyers, law students, members of the public and labour organisations have actively participated in campaigns supporting the demand. Various forms of protests, including postcard campaigns, demonstrations and rallies, have also been organised.

CM acknowledged demand

He further stated that allocation of funds for the High Court bench was discussed during the previous budget session. During this period, the Chief Minister had held a meeting with representatives of the Bar Association at the Circuit House in Mangaluru and agreed that the demand for establishing a High Court bench in the city was justified.

Burden on coastal residents

People from the coastal region are currently forced to travel to Bengaluru even for minor cases, resulting in financial burden and loss of time, he said. Poor and middle-class families are facing the greatest hardship due to this situation.

He urged the government to move beyond assurances and take immediate steps to establish either a circuit bench or a permanent bench of the High Court in Mangaluru.

Mangaluru Bar Association president H.V. Raghavendra, Government Pleader M.P. Noronha, and office-bearers Girish Shetty, Sridhar and Sujith were present at the press meet.

BJP Politicising Hijab Issue, Says Ivan D’Souza

Mangaluru, May 16, 2026: Wearing hijab is not a new practice but a part of the religious and cultural tradition of the Muslim community, and giving it a political colour reflects the narrow-mindedness of the BJP, said MLC and Congress leader Ivan D’Souza.

Speaking to reporters, he said the practice of wearing hijab has existed for generations as part of religious customs. Just as members of the Sikh community wear turbans, Muslim women wear hijab as part of their cultural and religious identity, and there is nothing wrong with it.

BJP accused of communal politics

He alleged that the BJP attempts to divide every issue along religious lines for political gains and that the hijab issue is also being used for political purposes.

Welcoming the state government’s decision to allow religious and cultural practices including hijab, he said the government had fulfilled its election promise by withdrawing the hijab ban after coming to power with the blessings of the people.

No harm to education system

He stated that allowing hijab along with school uniforms would not affect the education system in any way nor cause harm to anyone. According to him, BJP’s opposition to hijab is part of a political agenda aimed at dividing society on caste and religious lines.

Reacting to statements made by ABVP activists about wearing saffron shawls to schools, he said the Chief Minister had already clarified that no type of shawl would be permitted in schools and the government would take appropriate action if necessary.

Centre’s Foreign Policy Failure Behind Fuel Price Hike: Ivan D’Souza

Mangaluru, May 16, 2026: MLC and Congress leader Ivan D’Souza accused the Central government of failing in its foreign policy, claiming it was the primary reason behind the rise in petrol, diesel and LPG prices in the country.

Speaking to mediapersons in the city, he alleged that fuel prices were increased immediately after the conclusion of elections in five states, instead of addressing the hardships faced by common people.

Iran-Palestine conflict used as excuse

He criticised the Centre for citing the Iran–Palestine conflict as justification for increasing fuel prices, stating that the war had no direct connection to India. Despite this, LPG and fuel prices were increased the very next day after the conflict escalated, he alleged.

“Government yielding to US pressure”

Ivan D’Souza claimed that India should have the freedom to independently decide from which countries it purchases crude oil. However, he alleged that the Centre was framing economic policies under pressure from the United States.

He further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that in the pursuit of becoming a “Vishwaguru”, the Prime Minister had ignored the problems of ordinary citizens and was giving greater importance to international politics over domestic concerns.

Auto drivers, hotels hit hard

He said LPG prices in Mangaluru had increased by nearly Rs 40 to Rs 45 per litre, severely affecting thousands of auto-rickshaw drivers. Of the nearly 8,000 autorickshaws operating in the city, more than 4,000 run on LPG, and drivers using around five litres of gas daily are now burdened with additional expenses.

He also said the rise in fuel prices had increased the cost of living for common people, with hotels raising food prices and in some places collecting additional charges under the label of “gas charges”.

Allegations of black marketing

He alleged that shortages of petrol, diesel and LPG were being reported at several fuel stations, leading to black-market sales. The sudden increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices to Rs 997 has also caused severe difficulties for the hotel industry and small traders, he said.

Criticising the BJP-led Central government, he said the government that came to power in 2014 promising “Achhe Din” had instead imposed the burden of inflation on the public. He also mocked BJP leaders for allegedly staging publicity events by using public transport in the name of saving fuel.