Peace is returning to Dakshina Kannada, and situation is congenial for growth and development, says Home Minister G. Parameshwara

Contrary to Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT/BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj attaching ‘communal’ tag to the coastal belt, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said here on Tuesday that peace was returning to Dakshina Kannada, and the situation was congenial for growth and development.

“Mr. Kharge seems to have spoken in general about the State and not specific to Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada. The Karnataka coast is spread over from Mangaluru to Karwar,” he told reporters after inaugurating new police residential quarters and laying foundation for new quarters in different parts of Dakshina Kannada.

Asked about the specific statements that Mr. Kharge made in Bengaluru on Sunday, Mr. Parameshwara said, “Let them say anything, I am here officially giving the Home Department’s perspective (about Dakshina Kannada).”

There are now no communal-related murders in Dakshina Kannada. The illegal drugs trade and other activities too have come down. “What does this mean? This is an indication that peace is returning to the region. I am saying this on the basis of information that I have received and what the police have informed me about. I do not know on what basis he (Mr. Kharge) made the statement. Have to ask him,” said Mr. Parameshwara.

Denying allegations of the BJP, Mr. Parameshwara said the government was not painting coastal region in a negative perspective. “It is true that the conditions in Dakshina Kannada were not congenial for development earlier. It is also true that there is change for the better. I am telling officially as a Home Minister.”

The Home Minister said his statement was based on the statistics.

Mr. Parameshwara said when he visited the region as the head of party’s manifesto-drafting committee during 2023 Assembly election campaign, the people of the district said that they were sending their children to study in Mysuru, Bengaluru and other parts of the State for studies. “Now I do not find this situation. The police have told me that now there is no situation where a boy and girl drinking coffee or eating ice cream get assaulted (referring to moral policing). This is indication that peace is returning to the region,” the Home Minister said, while adding that he would not generalise sporadic incidents of assaults reported in the region.

Mr. Parameshwara said the situation in Dakshina Kannada has brought a sense of satisfaction to him. The district is known for communal amity and having conditions favouring growth. “It is good to see the region returning to the state that favours growth and development. We have to work to ensure that this situation continues,” he added.

“Dakshina Kannada is an important district. The government is serious about developing tourism and having more industries related to Information Technology and semi conductors in Mangaluru,” the Home Minister said.