By Shivaprasad Vakwady
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi 

Udupi, Oct 30: “There is a big deal between Pramod Madwaraj and B Raghuram Shetty behind the privatization of District Maternity and Children hospital Udupi,” alleged former MLA UR Sabhapathi.

Public and like-minded people of different organisations went on hunger strike on Sunday, October 30 at Clock tower against privatization of District Maternity and Children hospital, Udupi.

Addressing the protesters, former MLA UR Sabhapathi said, “Without informing anybody the district in-charge minister held a press meet secretly at his resident regarding the stone laying ceremony of the proposed project of upgrading district government hospitals. There is a big deal between the minister and BR Shetty behind this project.”

“During my period as an MLA, I tried to develop  the hospital though there was no aid from the government. I used to conduct meeting with the doctors and faculty every week and even I suggested the same to former district in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake. Ramadas Pai the Chancellor of Manipal University gave him a proposal for development of District hospital which he rejected.” 

He further questioned Dr BR Shetty’s contribution to Udupi.

“Pramod Madhwaraj’s opinion regarding the lease of the land on lease for 30 year is false. The private company will seize the land for sure,” he said.

Many people from various organizations took part in hunger strike. Psychiatric Dr PV Bhandary protested by tying black band around his mouth.

Member state advisory committee of Jamath-A-Islam Hind, Akbhar Ali, Student Islamic Organization of India member Hussain Kodi, Musthak  and many other were present in the Upavasa Satyagraha.

CPI(M) also took part in protest

The activists of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Udupi unit also staged the protest by holding black flags, in front of clock tower here on Sunday, October 30.

They opposed privatization of district hospital and demanded immediate solution for sand shortage in district.

Addressing the protesters, Balakrishna Shetty, secretary of CPI(M), Udupi said, “The state government is sidelining poor and depriving their rights. We will stand with PV Bhandary and former MLA UR Sabhapati. The land is donated by Haji Abdullah Saheb so this should be continued in his name.” 

“The government says that treatment will be available for free but when it comes to Raichur, the issue has taken a different turn. The government ought to have called global tender for this project. All decisions were one-sided. They are playing a big game,” opined Shetty.

“The government decided to invest Rs 1800 crores on steel bridge in Bengaluru but they are not willing to release fund for a district government hospital. All we need is about Rs 10 crore to 20 crores for this hospital,” said Balakrishna.

“In fact, the government does not have will power to do so. They decided to keep the name of Shetty’s parent. By this they are trying to keep Haji Abdullah’s name aside. We need to keep his name as he has donated the land,” he added.

Vishwanath, K Shankar, Kaviraj, Suresh Kallagar and others participated in the protest. 

Members of JD(S) hold silent protest march, taken into custody

Members of JD(S) also held silent protest against the action of state government to privatize the Udupi District Hospital.

The protest march started from JD(S) office at Kadiyali, Udupi. When the march reached at Kalsanka, police took all the protesters in their custody.