Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti Set To Hoist North Karnataka Flag As Protests Intensify, Seers Extend Support

Chief Minister (CM) H D Kumaraswamy’s recent statement seems to have massively backfired as people of North Karnataka are set to stage a protest in front of Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, The New Indian Express has reported.

Over hundred seers and leaders of various organisations will be assembling in front of the Suvarna Soudha today (31 July) to stage a dharna. However, the leaders from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region may not be supporting this. Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti (UKHS), an organisation which will be protesting today, has said that they would hoist a ‘North Karnataka’ flag if the seers provide them the permission.

Many seers from various mutts in Dharwad and Belagavi have confirmed their participation in the dharna. Uttara Karnataka Vikas Vedike (UKVV), which is organising the protests today, has said that the government may heed to the seers’ demands for the development of North Karnataka.

“Our prime objective is to urge the government to shift important offices from Bengaluru to Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi to make the soudha a power centre. The way the CM issued statements about North Karnataka clearly shows the lack of political will amongst leaders to make way for development of this region. We will not stop until the government changes its stance and focuses on development of North-Karnataka,” Bheemappa Gadad, president of UKHS is quoted have said. He has further said that the state government will have to provide them a written assurance, failing which they will intensify the demand for a separate statehood.

Jana Sangram Parishat, held a press conference and said that the capital of Karnataka has to be shifted to Hospet, which is at the centre of Karnataka. Parishat also said that they do not want a separate statehood, but only shifting of capital. Hyderabad-Karnataka Kannadapara Sanghatanegal Okkuta held a press conference and said that they would not be supporting the bandh on Thursday (2 August).

“There was a strike yesterday in Kopal demanding full farm loan waiver. Today, those who are observing strike demanding complete farm loan waiver, I want to ask them, why didn't you remember Kumaraswamy while voting?” Kumaraswamy had said earlier which led to the protests.