Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 14: Activist and politician Vatal Nagaraj, president of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha, on Thursday January 14 expressed regret over the his statement that people of Dakshina Kannada had 'no humanity' for not joining the protest over Kalasa-Banduri project in September last year.
It may be recalled that a state-wide bandh had been observed on Kalasa-Banduri project in September last year. While the bandh got good response in other parts of the state, it did not have any effect on Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Miffed over this, Vatal Nagaraj had stated that people of Dakshina Kannada had 'no humanity'.
Meanwhile, several activists gathered outside the press meet venue to protest against Vatal Nagaraj over the Yettinahole project and for his statement against Dakshina Kannada. Police deployed security and detained the protestors.
In the city to address a press meet on Thursday, Vatal Nagaraj was bombarded by media persons over his statement. Though at first he denied making the statement at all, he backtracked and said he regretted making the statement.
"I have immense respect and love towards Dakshina Kannada. I did not say people of DK have no humanity - I said they have no compassion. My intention was that everyone should get drinking water. I want the welfare of the entire Karnataka. I did not make the statement out of viciousness and did not mean to harm anyone. I regret if my statement hurt the people of Dakshina Kannada. I take back my words," he said.
When asked why he was not supporting the agitation against Yettinahole project when he expected people of DK to join the Kalasa-Banduri protest, he said, "Yettinahole issue should be solved through talks, as it is between districts. There should not be any enmity between two districts, that is my concern.
"I did not make the statement with an intention to grab power. We do not want politics on Yettinahole issue. We should not fight against each other. In two or three days, I will meet the chief minister and ask him to solve the issue. It is his duty and responsibility to make a final decision. None of the districts should be harmed. The CM should make sincere efforts solve it, and I also urge all parties to come together to find a solution," he said.
"I am not aware of the details of the Yettinahole project, but the main thing is people of Kolar and Chikkaballapur need drinking water and the CM should sort it out. I will also ask the CM to hold a public meeting regarding this issue and discuss it in detail with experts, activists and stakeholders. Every problem has a solution," he added.
Asked to comment on the encroachment of lakes in Bengaluru by prominent builders, he said, "Old mistakes should not be repeated. More than 80 lakes in Bengaluru have been encraoched - it is a major scam involving crores. Such encroachment should not happen anywhere."
Initially, Vatal Nagaraj said that he had been to Kukke Shree Subramanya Temple, and on the way, stopped in Mangaluru to address a press meet on the issue of mandatory helmets for pillion riders. "This is a big issue. Helmet for pillion rider is a curse. I will file a petition in the Supreme Court and call all political leaders for support. There is no clarity in the order. Earlier it was mandatory only in Bengaluru and now it has been extended to entire state. We have a foolish administration. This order will create quarrels between the people and the traffic police. It is a kind of oppression on female pillion riders. Ninety percent of two-wheeler riders are from poor and lower middle class, and this rule is an attack on them. All parties should pass a bill on this in the Lok Sabha. I will discuss with my lawyer and file a petition in the Supreme Court.
"On January 16, we will hold a convention of two-wheelers in Bengaluru and burn helmets publicly as a mark of protest," he added.