Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. ABVP activists booked for trespass, assault at Azim Premji University in Bengaluru

Bengaluru police have registered a case against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members under relevant sections pertaining to unlawful assembly, trespass, assault, criminal intimidation, and property damage a day after around 25 activists allegedly barged into Azim Premji University, created a ruckus in the campus, and assaulted security personnel and a student.

According to the complaint filed by S. Wilson, Security Manager of the university, a group gathered unlawfully and forcibly entered the college premises. When security staff attempted to stop them, the activists allegedly attacked them, abused them verbally, and issued life threats. In the incident, six security guards and one student sustained injuries.

2. BDA renews efforts to collect betterment fees in Bengaluru, targets principal of over ₹3,000 crore

Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has renewed efforts to collect betterment charges from land ‘notified and later left out’ from the layout scheme in 22 layouts it has developed in Bengaluru. BDA has been trying to mop up over ₹3,000 crore in betterment charge from these properties for a decade now, but has failed to collect the money.

On February 25, BDA issued a public notice in this regard. Sources in BDA said the board may move ahead with stern measures, like demolitions and auction properties of owners who fail to pay the fee. BDA is also collecting betterment fee for properties left out of the layout scheme at K. Shivaram Karanth Layout, the latest layout it has developed.

3. Newly-wed Dalit couple denied entry to temple in Karnataka, officials convene peace meeting in village

A day after a 58-year-old agriculturist from Gonitumakuru in Turuvekere taluk of Tumakuru district was arrested on the charge of preventing a newly-wed Dalit couple from entering a temple on February 19, the district administration comprising police and revenue officials convened a peace meeting and escorted the newly-wed couple to perform puja.

A peace meeting was convened in Goni village of the taluk following alleged humiliation of the Dalit couple who were asked to leave the Arasamma Devi temple on February 19. After the meeting, Superintendent of Police K.V. Ashok and Turuvekere Tahsildar M.N. Kunji Ahmed personally escorted the couple into the temple, holding their hands, and ensured they offered prayers.

4. Mysuru silk saree production to be hit as protest intensifies against stadium at KSIC filature factory at T. Narsipura

The protest against the proposed construction of a stadium within the KSIC filature factory premises at T. Narsipura, in Mysuru district, intensified on February 25 with employees of KSIC’s weaving units in Mysuru and Channapatna joining the agitation.

Around 700 workers of the Mysuru weaving unit, 150 from Channapatna and nearly 190 from the filature factory stayed away from duty, disrupting operations, and raising concerns over the potential impact on the production of GI-tagged Mysuru silk sarees.