Mangaluru, (DHNS): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that girls and women should learn martial arts such as Karate which would not only protect them from stalkers but also make them self-confident.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day Indian Karate Championship 2017 organised by Self Defence School of Indian Karate Mangalore Dojo here. Though he does not know much about Karate, he is aware that martial arts empower people, particularly women, against intruders and hence, it is a must for women.

Therefore, every school should promote Karate, particularly among girls, to make them self-confident. “I know Kavita Sanil [Mayor] is a Karate Champion and wish every girl to become like her while facing difficult situations,” the Chief Minister said.

(Ms. Sanil has taken keen interest in organising the event and inviting the Chief Minister for its inauguration.)

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that since one month, the Mayor was asking him personally as well as through Minister B. Ramanath Rai to inaugurate the event. He had another programme at Shravanabelagola in neighbouring Hassan district in connection with the Bahubali Maha Mastakabhisheka on Sunday and hence, he took time to inaugurate the programme here.

After the formal inauguration, Mr. Siddaramaiah went to the competition area and exchanged “punches” with Ms. Sanil as well as the children participating in the championship. Later, he unveiled the trophies of the championship.

Mr. Ramanath Rai, MLAs Shakuntala Shetty, K. Abhayachandra Jain and Mohiuddin Bava, Indian Karate founding president and Shree Devi Education Trust chairman Sadananda Shetty and others were present.