Mangaluru: The demand for establishing a circuit bench or permanent bench of the High Court in the city is not merely a concern of lawyers but a legitimate demand of the entire coastal region, MLC and convenor of the High Court Bench Agitation Committee Ivan D’Souza said during a press conference on Friday. He also spoke on issues related to the hijab controversy and rising fuel prices, criticising the BJP and the Central government.

Addressing reporters at the MCC office, Ivan D’Souza said the Chief Minister had already acknowledged the validity of the demand and assured that a circuit bench of the High Court would be established at the old DC office building before October this year.

Long-standing demand for High Court bench

Ivan D’Souza said the movement seeking a High Court bench has been continuing for several years, with lawyers, law students, members of the public and labour organisations actively supporting the cause.

He stated that several representations had been submitted to the government and discussions had also taken place in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

Various forms of protest, including demonstrations, rallies and postcard campaigns, were organised over the years to press for the demand.

He said allocation of funds for the High Court bench had also been discussed during the previous budget session.

According to him, the Chief Minister had held discussions with representatives of the Bar Association and accepted that the demand was justified.

Coastal residents facing hardship

Ivan D’Souza said people from the coastal region are currently forced to travel to Bengaluru even for smaller legal matters, leading to financial strain and loss of valuable time.

He stated that poor and middle-class families were facing the greatest burden under the present situation.

He urged the government to move beyond assurances and take immediate steps to establish either a circuit bench or a permanent bench.

Mangaluru Bar Association president H.V. Raghavendra, Government Pleader M.P. Noronha and office-bearers Girish Shetty, Sridhar and Sujith were present during the press conference.

BJP accused of politicising hijab issue

Speaking on the hijab issue, Ivan D’Souza said wearing a hijab is not a new practice but part of the religious and cultural traditions of the Muslim community.

He stated that just as members of the Sikh community wear turbans as part of their identity, Muslim women wear hijab as part of their cultural and religious practices.

He alleged that the BJP was attempting to give a political colour to the issue for electoral gains and divide people along religious lines.

Welcoming the state government’s decision allowing religious and cultural practices including hijab, he said the administration had fulfilled an election promise after coming to power.

He further maintained that allowing hijab alongside school uniforms would not affect the education system or create any harm.

Reacting to comments made by ABVP activists regarding saffron shawls in schools, he said the Chief Minister had already clarified that no type of shawl would be permitted and appropriate action would be taken if necessary.

Centre blamed for fuel price rise

Ivan D’Souza also criticised the Central government over the increase in petrol, diesel and LPG prices, alleging that failures in foreign policy had contributed to the situation.

He claimed that fuel prices were increased immediately after elections in five states and accused the Centre of citing international conflicts as justification.

Referring to the Iran–Palestine conflict, he alleged that the issue had no direct connection with India but was being used as a reason for increasing fuel prices.

He also claimed that economic policies were being shaped under pressure from the United States rather than being based solely on domestic interests.

Auto drivers and traders affected

Ivan D’Souza said the increase in LPG prices had created difficulties for thousands of auto-rickshaw drivers and small businesses.

He stated that more than 4,000 out of nearly 8,000 autorickshaws operating in the city use LPG and rising prices had increased operational expenses for drivers.

He further alleged that hotels had begun increasing food prices and in some places additional charges were being collected under “gas charges”.

He also claimed that shortages of fuel and LPG had led to black-market activities in certain places and criticised the BJP-led Central government over inflation and rising living costs.