Pro Kannada groups call for Karnataka shutdown on April 10

Various pro-Kannada outfits have given a call for a Karnataka shutdown on April 10 in protest against the Hogenakkal drinking water project taken up by neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

A meeting of various pro-Kannada organizations held in Bangalore under the aegis of Karnataka Border Protection Committee resolved to appeal to all political parties to support the state-wide agitation on April 10 and ensure a complete shutdown.

The pro-Kannada groups are up in arms against Tamil Nadu for taking up a drinking water project at Hogenakkal waterfalls across river Cauvery, a tourist destination on the border of the two riparian states. With Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka laying claim over Hogenakkal, the drinking water project finds itself caught in a major controversy between the two states.

The pro-Kannada groups have decided to stall screening of Tamil films and black out Tamil television channels all over the state. “Tamil films and television programmes will not be shown anywhere in Karnataka till the issue is resolved”, said Kannada protagonist and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj, who presided over the meeting of Kannada organizations.

The agitation chalked out by the pro-Kannada groups also includes demonstrations at Bangalore City Railway station and on the highway leading to Chennai from Bangalore on April 4.

Vatal Nagaraj has urged President Pratibha Patil to take serious note of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s recent remarks against Karnataka, which he claimed had created unrest in both the states, and urged the Federal Government to immediately step in and put the project on the hold.

Representatives of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce and Kannada Sene, besides film personalities and Kannada writers, attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike has threatened to cut off rail and road transport between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and also close down industries and trade establishments owned by persons belonging to Tamil Nadu.

Activsts of the Vedike stopped an Ooty-bound bus belonging to Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation at Mandya, about 100 kms from Bangalore, and deflated its tyres on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka in view of the agitation. “We will not tolerate any violence. We have taken all the precautionary measures to maintain law and order. Security has been provided in Tamil colonies, theatres and Tamil organizations”, Commissioner of Bangalore City Police Neelam Achuta Rao told reporters.

The police has also stepped up security at the residence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s daughter Selvi, who stays in Bangalore along with her husband. “Security has been strengthened at her residence”, Rao said.

Tamil Sangam in Bangalore, which came under attack from Kannada activists on Monday, has decided to take out a counter rally seeking protection of Tamils in Bangalore.

Sangam President Shanmugasundaram, who has lodged a complaint against Kannada activists for ransacking the Tamil Sangam office, said Tamils living in Bangalore will take out a procession to Raj Bhavan to bring to the notice of Governor Rameshwar Thakur the need to protection fundamental rights of Tamils residing in Karnataka.