News and pics: Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Feb 6: “Kasargod is a part of Karnataka forever. The two MLAs of Manjeshwar and Kasargod who could not raise their voice for the Kannadigas there should resign at once,” said Karnataka Rakshana Vedike spokesman Rahim Uchil.

Uchil was speaking at a road block protest held by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike at Talapady on Saturday February 6 reportedly opposing snatching of freedom of language of Kannadigas and their constitutional rights by the Kerala state government.

“The Kerala government which is all out to destroy Kannada language in Kasargod has come forward to question the esteem of Kannadigas. Kannadigas in Kasargod are not orphans. Five crore people of
Karnataka are with them. They will fight till death to preserve the identity of Kannadigas. The politicians have asked for votes in Kannada during the elections, but the MLAs are unable to raise their voice now that Malayalam language bill is being passed. More than one lac people will go for intense protests if the bill is passed,” he warned.

Kannada schools will have to be closed: "As per the constitution of 1969, there is freedom to use their own languages. However as per the bill passed by Kerala state government in December 2015, all the
people in the state have to compulsorily use Malayalam language. With that 192 Kannada medium schools in Karnataka and Kerala border and nearly 11,400 school students in them will have no future. The files related to land meant to be used in the court are also in Malayalam, causing a lot of hardship, said border Kannadiga and teacher Sadashiva Rao.

Nearly 100 activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike blocked the road on NH66 at Talapady. The police tried to pacify them and later stopped and arrested them.

District president Anil Das, Nazir Hussain Bengre, Udupi district president S R Lobo, Sudesh Shet, Sumasoodana Gowda, Ashok, Subbayya, N A Hamza, Arun Kumar, Musir Ahmed, Rajesh, Jaleel, Moidin and others were present.