Kannada organisations oppose CM’s plan for Maratha body in K’taka

Bengaluru, Nov 20 : Notwithstanding the warning from Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, several pro-Kannada activists and organisations led by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha supremo Vatal Nagaraj have called for a statewide bandh on December 5, condemning the state government’s decision to form the Maratha Community Development Board.
At least a dozen pro-Kannada activists, including famous film producer and Rajkumar Fans’ Association chief Sa. Ra. Govindu, met on Friday and passed an unanimous resolution that they will go ahead with the bandh call given by them on December 5.
“We are coming under a single banner – Federation of Kannada Associations – to give a call for a statewide bandh on December 5,” Nagaraj said after the meeting.
Speaking to reporters flanked by several Kannada activists, Nagaraj said that the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha has already received support of more than 1,000 pro-Kannada organisations across the state.
“We will not be cowed down by the CM’s warning and we will go ahead with our scheduled bandh on December 5,” he said.
Nagaraj further added that several Kannada activists have laid down their lives to protect the state’s borders, water and language. “Constituting such a board (Maratha) itself is an insult to those who have laid down their lives,” he said.