Peace and Development-Friendly Atmosphere Returning to Mangaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara
He said It is true that there were problems earlier, and it is also true that there is change now
By : Gururaj A Paniyadi
Update: 2026-02-17 13:12 GMT
Mangaluru: A day after IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge flagged concerns over communal disturbances in Dakshina Kannada shadowing growth and investment by companies, his cabinet colleague Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday asserted that peace and normalcy were returning to Coastal Karnataka.
Without directly disputing Kharge’s remarks, Parameshwara said official data pointed to a drop in criminal incidents.
Addressing reporters after a review meeting in Mangaluru, Parameshwara said incidents of hate crimes and vigilante attacks targeting youths in public places had come down significantly, a trend he said was clearly reflected in police data. He said this indicated that peace and a conducive atmosphere for development were returning to Mangaluru.
“Series of hate related killings that were witnessed in the region few years ago have stopped. This has brought a sense of satisfaction for me. A good environment and a development-friendly atmosphere are returning to Dakshina Kannada, especially Mangaluru, and this must continue,” he said.
The minister said that after the state capital Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi and Belagavi were among the most important centres of financial transactions in the State, making the district economically significant.
“The atmosphere is returning to normal here. Development and growth is also picking up. Tourism needs to be strengthened, and the government is taking measures to promote soft industries such as IT and semiconductor-related units,” he said.
Responding to a question on IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge’s contrary remark, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that Kharge may not have made a specific reference to Mangaluru.
“He might have said something. But nobody is projecting the region in bad light,” he said.
Parameshwar asserted that his assessment of the region is based on official police data and inputs from the officers.
“It is true that there were problems earlier, and it is also true that there is change now. I am saying this officially as Home Minister based on data. Murders have decreased, drug-related cases have declined and other unlawful activities have also come down, which means peace is returning. Sporadic incidents cannot be generalised. I am making this statement based on this information. I do not know from what viewpoint he (Priyank Kharge) has made his statement,” G Parameshwara said.
Recalling the past situation, he said there was a time when parents from the region were sending their children to Bengaluru and Mysuru for education, saying it was not safe to study in the coastal belt. “When I had come here as the head of the manifesto committee (during the 2023 assembly election) people had told me about this personally. But now I do not see such a situation,” he said.
“Earlier when boys and girls were found together at coffee shops or ice cream outlets there were incidents of attack on them. I asked the police if this continued even now. They said no such incident takes place now,” he added.
He lauded the efforts of the police officials and also active participation of the public in bringing back peace in the region.
“Whatever initiatives the department takes, people must respond. Without their response, no department can do anything. I really appreciate the people for responding to our call and our effort. Because of that, and our efforts, incidents have come down,” he said, maintaining that overall, the region was moving towards normalcy and peace.
Kharge, meanwhile, in a post on X on Monday, had attached the news clippings of past communal incidents in Dakshina Kannada and called upon political and religious leaders in the district to ensure a stable and conducive environment for investment, saying the coastal region had the potential to emerge as a key driver of Karnataka’s economic growth.
“Dakshina Kannada has an immense talent pool and can contribute significantly to the State’s growth. Political and religious leaders must ensure a conducive, stable environment for investments that generate employment,” Kharge wrote, sharing the message along with a newspaper clipping on communal disturbances reported in the region.
Addressing reporters after a review meeting in Mangaluru, Parameshwara said incidents of hate crimes and vigilante attacks targeting youths in public places had come down significantly, a trend he said was clearly reflected in police data. He said this indicated that peace and a conducive atmosphere for development were returning to Mangaluru.
“Series of hate related killings that were witnessed in the region few years ago have stopped. This has brought a sense of satisfaction for me. A good environment and a development-friendly atmosphere are returning to Dakshina Kannada, especially Mangaluru, and this must continue,” he said.
The minister said that after the state capital Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi and Belagavi were among the most important centres of financial transactions in the State, making the district economically significant.
“The atmosphere is returning to normal here. Development and growth is also picking up. Tourism needs to be strengthened, and the government is taking measures to promote soft industries such as IT and semiconductor-related units,” he said.
Responding to a question on IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge’s contrary remark, Home Minister G Parameshwara said that Kharge may not have made a specific reference to Mangaluru.
“He might have said something. But nobody is projecting the region in bad light,” he said.
Parameshwar asserted that his assessment of the region is based on official police data and inputs from the officers.
“It is true that there were problems earlier, and it is also true that there is change now. I am saying this officially as Home Minister based on data. Murders have decreased, drug-related cases have declined and other unlawful activities have also come down, which means peace is returning. Sporadic incidents cannot be generalised. I am making this statement based on this information. I do not know from what viewpoint he (Priyank Kharge) has made his statement,” G Parameshwara said.
Recalling the past situation, he said there was a time when parents from the region were sending their children to Bengaluru and Mysuru for education, saying it was not safe to study in the coastal belt. “When I had come here as the head of the manifesto committee (during the 2023 assembly election) people had told me about this personally. But now I do not see such a situation,” he said.
“Earlier when boys and girls were found together at coffee shops or ice cream outlets there were incidents of attack on them. I asked the police if this continued even now. They said no such incident takes place now,” he added.
He lauded the efforts of the police officials and also active participation of the public in bringing back peace in the region.
“Whatever initiatives the department takes, people must respond. Without their response, no department can do anything. I really appreciate the people for responding to our call and our effort. Because of that, and our efforts, incidents have come down,” he said, maintaining that overall, the region was moving towards normalcy and peace.
Kharge, meanwhile, in a post on X on Monday, had attached the news clippings of past communal incidents in Dakshina Kannada and called upon political and religious leaders in the district to ensure a stable and conducive environment for investment, saying the coastal region had the potential to emerge as a key driver of Karnataka’s economic growth.
“Dakshina Kannada has an immense talent pool and can contribute significantly to the State’s growth. Political and religious leaders must ensure a conducive, stable environment for investments that generate employment,” Kharge wrote, sharing the message along with a newspaper clipping on communal disturbances reported in the region.