Pics: Umesh Marpalli
With Inputs from Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi/Mangaluru (HB/SP)

Updated

Udupi/Mangaluru, Jun 8: Pro-Kannada activists led by Karnataka Raknasha Vedike on Thursday June 8 forcibly closed the Karnataka-Kerala border in protest against Kerala government's move to make Malayalam compulsory in its schools.

The protestors blocked the roads on the borders areas and stopped vehicular movement at Talapady.

The police arrested Kannada activists Vatal Nagaraj, Sa Ra Govind, Praveen Shetty and several others.

The 'Kasargod Chalo' rally undertaken by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) from Udupi, against Kerala government's move to make Malayalam compulsory in schools, was flagged off from the clock tower near the service bus stand in Udupi on Thursday morning. The rally moved via Padubidri, Mangaluru, and Talapady.

Vedike's state president, Praveen Kumar Shetty, addressing the activists, resented the move of Kerala government to impose Malayalam on Kannadigas living in Kasargod. He noted that lacs of Malayalees living in Karnataka have been given the freedom to choose the language of their liking, and Karnataka has been supporting Malayalam. He wondered why Kannadigas in Kasargod district are being 'harassed' by the government.

The procession is supposed to cross into Kerala at the state border at Talapady. "Our rulers should wake up to the situation. For this purpose, we are organizing this programme and giving a wake up call. Mahajan Commission report should be implemented in Toto," he demanded. He also expressed surprise at the fact that the state has not been taking steps to protect interests of Kannadigas living in Kasargod district. He informed that Karnataka Bandh is being held by his organization on June 12 in support of various issues.

Prasannakumar Shetty, state convener of the Vedike, district president, Ansar Ahmed, Nityananda Olakadu of Hiriya Nagarikara Vedike, and others were present.

State secretary of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Raviraj Gatty, stressed that implementation of Mahajan Commission Report will solve all the issues. He said that as per the bilingual policiy adopted for border areas in 1969, both the languages should be allowed. He said that as per the understanding, the administration should have enough representation for Kannadiga officers in border areas and blamed Kerala government for systematically following the plan to destroying Kannada in that state. "Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is never opposed to Kerala. Out of about 184 schools in Kasargod district, 40,000 Kannadiga students study. But Malayalam is being imposed on them forcibly. We are prepared to fight for protecting interests of our language and state," he added.

Junior Swamiji of Pejavar Math, Vishwaprasannateertha, who arrived at the spot, felt that forcing Kannadigas to choose Malayalam as medium of education is not right. He said that there should not be any friction between the states at their borders and the state should take care of this issue. He called upon leaders of Karnataka state to take steps to protect interests of their language. He hoped that the neighbouring state will work in tandem with Karnataka and said that there should be unity between people, not friction. He hoped that Karnataka Rakshana Vedike will succeed in its goal.

Praveen said that about ten activists of his organization from Hassan had arrived in vehicles at Hebri at around 5.30 and were seeking to book rooms, when about 15 police officials from Mandya who arrived in vehicles took away their leader, Satish Patil, president of Vedike's Hassan district unit. He claimed that the police, who were not wearing uniforms, pointed gun at the forehead of Patil and asked him to identify the people in the photographs held by them. Although he said he did not know, he said Patil was kicked. 

The harassed visitors resisted attempts to whisk them away and then called Karnataka Rakshana Vedike's local leaders. After the local leaders intervened, the police confessed that there was some misunderstanding and let off the activists, he claimed. He condemned the incident and wanted to know what the superintendent of police of the district is doing and whether the visitors to the district have no protection. He said his activists have faced injustice, duly adding that the identity of the police personnel who came to Hebri were known. He sought suspension of police officers who exceeded their powers and indulged in atrocities on innocent people.

Convener of Bengaluru city unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Lokesh, also warned of pursing the matter and holding protests.