Former Minister Ramanath Rai demands action against provocative speeches in Diganth’s disappearance case

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 13, 2025: The case of Diganth, a young boy from Farangipete who had gone missing, has reached a happy conclusion through the efforts of the district police. However, former minister Ramanath Rai has urged the police to take suo motu action against leaders of certain political parties and organizations who delivered provocative speeches aimed at inciting hatred in society during the time of Diganth’s disappearance, despite the lack of any clues.

Speaking at a press conference at the Dakshina Kannada District Congress office in Mallikatte on Thursday, Rai stated that the district has been labeled as communally sensitive. He alleged that communal organizations used Diganth’s disappearance to mislead the public and disturb social harmony.

He emphasized the need for society to recognize the damage communal elements cause to peace and unity in such cases. He also recalled how the murder of Sharath Madivala was politicized and misrepresented, claiming that communal forces played a role in their electoral defeat. He accused the BJP of resorting to false propaganda as they could not defeat them through honest political means.

Rai further stated that for communal forces, peace, harmony, and development in the district are not priorities. "However, we believe that the answer to violence is non-violence, and the response to hatred is love," he asserted.

Former Mayor Shashidhar Hegde, City Block Congress President Prakash Salian, former corporators Abdul Latif and Ashok D.K., District Congress General Secretary Vikas Shetty, District Youth Congress President Ibrahim Nawaz, and other leaders including Sudheer T.K., Shabbir, Abbas Ali, Appi, Ganesh Poojary, and Nazir Bajal were present at the event.

Demand for SIT formation

Rai strongly insisted on the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify those responsible for communal violence and unrest. He stressed that only when the masterminds behind communal killings and conflicts are punished will Dakshina Kannada district regain its harmony.