Pro-Kannada groups have voiced their disapproval of the government’s decision to allocate Rs 50 crore to establish a Maratha Development Board.
Several pro-Kannada organizations have called for a statewide bandh on December 5 in the wake of the Karnataka government establishing the Maratha Development Board earlier this week. On Monday, the BJP government led by BS Yediyurappa announced the establishment of the Maratha Development Board and allocated Rs 50 million in funds for it. Pro-Kannada groups expressed their backlash and called it an “anti-Kannada” move by the Chief Minister. These groups stated that the government’s move was simply to win the vote of the Marathi-speaking population in Basavakalyan and Maski, where by-elections are scheduled for soon.
The December 5 bandh is led by Vatal Nagaraj and his party, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha. Organizations like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sene, the Shivarame Gowda faction of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Karnataka Janapada Vedike and Jai Karnataka are part of the bandh. Karnataka rakshana Vedike of T Narayanagowda does not participate in the bandh.
Speaking to TNM, T Narayanagowda said that members of his organization believe the bandhs are ineffective and said they have started protesting in all districts of the state. “We have been protesting since yesterday (Tuesday) and we will continue to organize protests in all districts until the government repeals this order,” Narayanagowda said.
To win your support for the bandh. KRV Yuva Sene is also holding talks with the taxi driver unions to win their support.
“We are confident that any Kannadiga will support our cause. Meanwhile, starting next week, we will hold protests in Bangalore and demand that the government establish such boards for all castes in the state, especially the Dalit, OBC and Adivasi communities. These communities have been at a disadvantage for a long time, but the government is not paying attention to their improvement, ”Harish said.
Speaking to TNM, Vatal Nagaraj said that the establishment of the Maratha Development Board is a “political stunt”. The Basavakalyan constituency has a sizeable population of Marathi speakers. He said that the government had made this decision simply to win votes for the upcoming by-elections. “During Sira’s polls (bye-polls) too, the government had created the Kadugolla Development Board. This is because Sira has a sizeable population of people from the Golla community. Instead of prioritizing the development of Kannada, why should people who speak Marathi be given preference? Vatal Nagaraj questioned.
Opposition to the Maratha Development Board also occurs in the context of the long-standing border dispute between Karnataka and Belagavi. Pro-Marathi groups in Maharashtra claim that Belagavi should be part of their state, as the district has a large population of Marathi-speaking people.
“Will the government establish such boards for Tamil and Telugu speakers as well? The BJP is playing political games because they want to take control of Maharashtra. This is to appease the vote banks in both states, ”argued Vatal Nagaraj.
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