Mangaluru – At a peace meeting held in Mangaluru, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar urged religious leaders from all communities to come together to rebuild the communal harmony that once defined Dakshina Kannada (DK) district.
Emphasizing the district’s unique legacy, Dr. Parameshwar said the gathering wasn’t aimed at blaming anyone but rather to remember DK’s past as a culturally rich and progressive region. “Nowhere else in the state do we see a district like DK. You are not just intelligent, but capable of thriving globally. You have shaped the nation’s education system,” he remarked.
He highlighted that over 38 individuals shared their views in the session, including elected representatives like Harish Poonja, Bharat Shetty, and Vedavyas Kamath, who acknowledged ideological tensions but also underlined the need for a peaceful environment for the next generation.
“I grew up playing at Nehru Maidan. In those days, no one saw religion—only friendship. We must bring that spirit back,” he urged.
Referring to the drug issue, the Home Minister reiterated the government’s firm stance against narcotics. “The Chief Minister has declared a war on drugs—we won’t let DK turn into another Udta Punjab,” he warned.
He added that he had instructed the police not to use excessive force, and a peace-building initiative will be rolled out soon. Additionally, a bill targeting hate speech and misinformation is set to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session.