Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, May 17: Hundreds of people irrespective of religions, caste, organizations and political affiliations, joined protest rally organized by Nethravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti demanding to scrap the ongoing Yettinahole project here on Monday May 16.
The protest rally started at Jyothi Circle and culminated at DC’s office.
Addressing the protest rally, Vijayakumar Shetty, president of Nethravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti said, “The aim of the struggle is to stop the Nethravati river diversion. CM Siddaramaiah and Ramanath Rai should understand the problem of people living in Dakshina Kannada. Since 2011, the project name has been changed thrice to fool the people of Dakshina Kannada. Nethravati river is nature’s gift to us. Don't come here to steal it from us.”
“The ministers in charge of the project should have dialogue about the merits and demerits of the project with technical expert SG Mayya. Rai should support the people of Dakshina Kannada if he wants to be great politician like Shrinivas Mallya. If you cannot stop the ongoing project, resign your post in favour of the people and river. Be with us in our struggle and we will make you minister again,” he urged.
He also slammed Ibrahim Kodijal for his statement in favour of the project.
Shri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Math said, “Water has power to unite people of religions, caste and politics. CM should immediately stop this project. In future we may also ghero Vidhana Saudha.”
Activist MG Hegde said, “For the sake of money, a few contractors are ready to sacrifice the river. The government is even planning to lift water from Gundya and Uppinangady.”
“Many projects which were implemented in Dakshina Kannada have never got completed. Even this project will not be completed and it is sheer waste of people's money,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Sayyed Ibrahim Tangal said, “Irrespective of religion and caste everyone wants water. Water has no discrimination. This is a strong message to the government.”
Fr William Menezes said, “We will save Nethravati river. Nethravati is the life of Dakshina Kannada. The government should not curb people's rights.”
Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji of Kemaru Sandeepani Math said, “We should protest harder to stop this project. Several programmes have been implemented to harm Tulu Nadu. We should awake and our
protest should reach Vidhana Saudha.”
Addressing the gathered, Sathyajith Surthkal said, “Government should immediately stop this ongoing project. It should send its representative to listen to people's plea. If this is done, we will think of
withdrawing the voluntarily bandh called on May 19. Or else we are ready to sacrifices our life to stop this project in favour to save Nethravati.”
"If the government would not stop the project, the peace loving people of district would turn violent , " said MP Nalin Kumar Kateel
"The project was mooted by the leaders of all party and it is the need of the hour to stop the project unitedly ," said MLA J R Lobo
Protester also urged DC to come and receive the memorandum. When DC was late, the protestors started shouting slogan against government and district administration.
After half an hour, DC came and took the memorandum and assured them to send it to CM.
MLA JR Lobo, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Krishna J Palemar, Fr Antony Serrao, Fr J B Crasta, Mohammed Masood, Purushotham Chitrapur, Denis D'Silva, Harikrishna Bantwal and others were present.
Dinkar Shetty welcomed the gathering.