HUBBALLI: After a high-decibel war of words and threats from separatist organisations to shut down
North Karnataka over chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s “insensitive” remarks which suggested that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government was “neglecting” the 13 districts of the region, the
bandh call by Uttara Karnataka Pratyeka Rajya Horata Samiti (
PRHS) and its affiliate organisations was withdrawn.
Pro-Kannada organisations and the Hyderabad-Karnataka Horatta Samiti, which represents the six districts of H-K region, have also decided to stay away from the proposed bandh. The only organisation which has decided to continue with the bandh is the Uttara Karnataka Raitha Sangha (North Karnataka farmers’ association).
Following Kumaraswamy’s “mellowed” approach on Tuesday after his caustic statements earlier last week, the organisations demanding separate statehood for North Karnataka have decided to dial back on their protests. Speaking to reporters in Haveri on Wednesday night, PRHS president, Somashekhar Kotambari, said the CM had assured them that he would respond to their demands and that the organisation wanted to give the chief minister time to respond.
“Some of our members said it would be better to give Kumaraswamy a chance to change his attitude towards North Karnataka,” Kotambari said. “Others asked us not to bow down to the CM’s assurances. But in the end, after a meeting with all members, we decided not to observe a bandh.”
However, rather than enforce a total shutdown, the PRHS and other organisations revealed they will observe a symbolic protest across all 13 districts of the region. Kotambari also insisted that the organisation’s demand for a separate state will continue till it achieves that objective. The organisation has also listed several conditions which it said the state government needs to fulfil within the next 15 days, failing which it will again raise a banner of revolt.
Meanwhile, long before the PRHS could clarify its stand, many organisations in Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and Vijayapura decided to stay away from the bandh. Activists from the six districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka have asserted that they will not support the bandh as Mumbai-Karnataka is hijacking all facilities.
“We have been always in favour of a united Karnataka,” said Razak Ustaad, leader of H-K Horata Samiti in Raichur. “But our agitation seeking development of facilities will continue.”
Deepa Cholan, Dharwad deputy commissioner, said all government offices, schools and colleges will function as usual on Thursday in the district. NWKRTC chief traffic manager Shantappa said buses will ply as usual in all eight divisions. “We have not received any information either from the police or district administration to withdraw operations,” Shantappa said.
File photo of Karnataka bandh
