Karnataka - Mangalore   

NSUI criticises helmet rule

Special Correspondent

`Intense heat making it especially inconvenient'

HEADSTRONG: NSUI members protesting against the helmet rule by wearing helmets made of areca leaves, in Mangalore on Thursday. — PHOTO: R. ESWARRAJ

MANGALORE: The city's youth have started speaking up against the compulsory helmet rule. Earlier this week, youth groups had urged the Government to exempt Dakshina Kannada from the rule as the heat there was intense. On Thursday, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) took out a rally demanding that Mangalore be exempted. Its members rode two-wheelers wearing helmets made of areca leaves, as a mark of protest.

In a memorandum presented to the Government through the Deputy Commissioner, leader of the union Tejaswi Raj said that the helmet rule had more disadvantages than advantages. The intense heat made the wearing of helmets especially inconvenient, and it was also not good for health, he said.

Poor roads

The statement said that the poor condition of the city's roads made the wearing of helmets dangerous, as riders were more prone to accidents. The Government had exempted riders in the Bellary Corporation area for similar reasons, which made them justified in demanding the same for the city.

Other student bodies as well as youth wings of political parties have also threatened to launch an agitation if the Government did not exempt the city from the rule.

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