The Hindu : Karnataka News : Merger of Kasaragod with Karnataka sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 13, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Merger of Kasaragod with Karnataka sought

By Our Staff Correspondent

MOODBIDRI, DEC. 12. The demand for the merger of Kasaragod in Kerala with Karnataka was discussed at a meeting on Kannada organised by the Akhila Karnataka Kannada Jagruta Balaga here today. Vatal Nagaraj, MLA and leader of Kannada Chaluvali, demanded that the State Government take an all-party delegation to Delhi to prevail upon the Centre to concede the demand. If the Government fails to do so, he would lead a delegation, he said.

Mr. Nagaraj accused the Centre of neglecting the State while giving approval to development projects. It is favouring other southern States, sidelining Karnataka. A case in point is the railway sector, he said.

Kayyara Kinnanha Rai, writer, said the State is not evincing interest to convince the Centre to include Kasaragod in Karnataka, though the Mahajan Report had recommended the merger.

Mr. Rai said the political and other leaders of the State should take the lead to urge the Government to try for including Kasaragod in Karnataka, he said. B.M. Idinabba, president, Kannada Development Authority, who inaugurated the meeting, decried the demand for dividing the State. Kannada is facing a threat in the State, he said. Mohan Alva, president, Alva's Education Foundation, Moodbidri, urged the Government to introduce a system to give grace marks to students who excel in cultural activities in schools and colleges.

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