Oscar Fernandes takes swipe at Ramya, says Mangaluru is heaven not hell!

Bengaluru: Veteran Congress leader Oscar Fernandes said “Mangaluru is a heaven on this planet” as he took a veiled swipe at actress-politician Ramya for her alleged remark that the coastal city was “hell.”

He told the media here ahead of his meeting with CM Siddaramaiah, on issues like a special sand mining policy for the coastal region: “I have not read or watched Ms Ramya’s statement so far. I do not know in which context she stated something similar to it. I come from Mangaluru. I consider it a heaven on this planet, and am proud to be from that place,” he added.

He, however, quipped that of late Mangaluru was in the news for wrong reasons, and he was worried about it. “Recent murders of Harish Poojary and Praveen Poojary, which are purportedly committed by cow vigilantes, is certainly a worrisome factor. Every well wisher of Mangaluru will certainly not agree with this kind of mindless killings. This is a serious matter of concern for everyone who lived in Mangaluru, a city which was known for its secular image,” he added. He said there was no need to attach much importance to Ms Ramya’s statement as she was still young and was in the process of learning the ropes in politics.

Sedition case put off to september 19

The JMFC Court at Somwarpet in Kodagu has put off a private case against actor-politician Ramya, alleging sedition, to September 19. Mr Katnamane Vittalgowda, complainant, advocate and president of the Kodagu district Prajaranga, said, “The court has directed us to explain how the case can come under the jurisdiction of Somwarpet, and to convince the court on how IPC section 124/A would be applicable in this case.”