Belgaum: The veteran freedom fighter and former Minister Haranahalli Ramaswamy has demanded that the Government declare Belgaum as the second capital of the State and also hold legislature sessions in north Karnataka to address specific issues of the region.

Delivering the inaugural address on the occasion of `Centennial Celebrations of Freedom Struggle in Karnataka' here on Wednesday, he said the Government should show concern for the region, which had remained backward for long. He said it was necessary to inculcate a feeling of patriotism in youth.

Revenue Minister and district in-charge Jagadish Shettar said freedom fighters from Belgaum had played a significant role in the independence struggle. But the present generation was not aware of the hardship faced by the freedom fighters.

Ban on salt production

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil drew the attention of the Union Government to the demand by freedom fighters against imposing a ban on domestic production of salt. Salt had been a symbol of India's freedom struggle ever since the Salt Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi. Keeping this in view, the Government should not ban its production through indigenous methods, he said.

Tributes paid

Earlier, Union Minister without portfolio Oscar Fernandes, who inaugurated the State-level conference of freedom fighters, paid rich tributes to all those who fought and laid down their lives to achieve independence for the country.

He pointed out that there was a fundamental difference in the freedom struggle launched in India and those in other countries, including the United States of America. American soldiers, according to him, retaliated with ten bullets every time an English soldier killed an American. But, in India, for every bullet of the British rulers, ten freedom fighters came forward to face it and laid down their lives. It was because of such a non-violent struggle that Mahatma Gandhi was known all over the world.

The veteran freedom fighter and president of Belgaum District Freedom Fighters' Education Society Somaling A. Malagali, who welcomed the guests, presented a memorandum to the Government with a request to construct a freedom struggle memorial in Belgaum to commemorate 100 years of the independence struggle.

Sumitra Gandhi Kulkarni inaugurated `Geeta Pravachan Amrut Mahotsava,' Nadoja Patil Puttappa released a commemorative volume on the independence struggle. Those present on the occasion included Horticulture Minister Shashikant Naik, reception committee chairman Suresh Angadi, MP, former Minister Prakash B. Hukkeri and the veteran freedom fighters H.S. Doreswamy, Narasimha Dable, Channamma Hallikeri and Vitthal Yalgi.

Senior Congress leader and KLE Society chairman Prabhakar B. Kore presided over the function.

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