Karnataka’s fiftieth formation day observed

Hoisting of a separate Karnataka flag in Gulbarga and stone-throwing on Rajyothsava procession in Belgaum marred an otherwise boisterous celebration of Karnataka’s fiftieth formation day yesterday.

Ahead of a spectacular ceremony planned by the Karnataka Government in Bangalore on Wednesday evening, the golden jubilee of Karnataka’s formation day or Rajyothsava Day was celebrated with pomp and pageantry in various districts of the State with Ministers hoisting the state flag at officials functions. Cultural and folk programmes added colour to the festive spirit in various districts of the State.

But, the Hyderbad-Karnataka Struggle Committee hoisted a separate flag in Gulbarga on the occasion to highlight the historical neglect of the region by successive Governments of the State. Hundreds of the activists staged a black flag demonstration at the official Rajyothsava Day function in Gulbarga, forcing the police to intervene and take them into custody.

MLA and Chairman of the Hyderabad-Karnataka Struggle Committee Vaijyanath Patil told reporters that they were observing the fiftieth formation day of the State as a “black day”. The formation of Karnataka had not brought any benefit to people of Hyderabad-Karnataka region, which continues to remain backward. “The dreams of the people have not been fulfilled”, he said.

With the regional imbalance in the State continuing to grow, the Rajyothsava Day is no occasion for people of this region to celebrate, he said. The State Government continues to focus its developmental activities in Bangalore and Mysore, where the industry is concentrated.

A similar black flag demonstration was also staged by activists of the Hyderabad Karnataka Struggle Committee in the adjoining districts of Raichur and Bidar, where hundreds of people were arrested for either hoisting a separate flag or staging a black flag demonstration.

The border town of Belgaum, which has become a bone of contention between Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra, witnessed some tense moments when miscreants stoned the Rajyothsava procession.

The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (MES), which has been seeking the transfer of Belgaum and other Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka to Maharashtra, took out a cycle rally holding black flags through the streets of Belgaum yesterday to mark the Rajyothsava Day. Security had been beefed up in Belgaum for the occasion.