'Not aimed to stigmatise any district': Karnataka minister Parameshwara defends Special Action Force

'There is absolutely no question of Udupi’s dignity being undermined. Law enforcement is here to protect, not tarnish,' the Home Minister asserted.

Udupi: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday firmly defended the state government’s decision to set up a Special Action Force (SAF) in coastal Karnataka, including Udupi, and said the move is meant to prevent communal tensions and ensure peace, not to stigmatise any district.

He told reporters during his visit to the temple town that the SAF has been formed based on the nature of incidents that have taken place or may potentially occur in the coastal region. "Nowhere have we called Udupi or any other district communally sensitive," Parameshwara said while addressing the mediapersons in Udupi.

He rejected opposition claims, particularly from BJP leaders, that the SAF would damage the region’s reputation. “There is absolutely no question of Udupi’s dignity being undermined. Law enforcement is here to protect, not tarnish,” he asserted. Drawing comparisons to past initiatives, the minister reminded that the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) headquarters had once been set up in Karkala during heightened Naxal activities. “Back then, several lives were lost to violence. Did that decision affect Udupi’s prestige? Just because there is a police presence doesn’t mean the area is disgraced,” he added.

Parameshwara emphasised that the need for the SAF would cease if communal harmony prevails. "I have publicly appealed that this force should remain unused. Its necessity should ideally never arise. If such a situation doesn't come, it only means communalism is no longer a threat,” he remarked. The SAF will operate under close observation, with the Inspector General of Police monitoring three districts and Mangaluru Police Commissioner overseeing Dakshina Kannada. “We are committed to ensuring safety without compromising on the honour of our people and places,” he said.

Amid political murmurs surrounding his visit to the Kollur Mookambika Temple, Parameshwara clarified that it was a purely personal one. “Going to temples is part of our tradition. I simply paid my respects to Goddess Mookambika. There's no need for speculation,” he said, refusing to comment further on the matter.

He said the new caste census would be based on scientific methodology and will not undermine the efforts of officials like Kantharaju and Jayaprakash Hegde who conducted the earlier survey. “The aim is to gather accurate data on the social, educational, and economic conditions of communities, which the central census does not provide,” he said. Parameshwara reiterated that the state government’s goal is to ensure inclusive and data-driven policy making, aligned with public sentiments and social justice.