IN NO MOOD TO RELENT: Members of the Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti trying to enter the venue in Gulbarga where the main function to celebrate Rajyotsava Day was held on Wednesday.

GULBARGA: The golden jubilee celebrations of the formation of Karnataka on Wednesday were marked by protests in the districts coming under the Hyderabad Karnataka region.

For the past few years, the Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti (HKHS) has been boycotting the Rajyotsava Day celebrations and observing it as a black day.

The samiti has been demanding the implementation of the recommendations of the High Power Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalances and the amendment of Article 371 of the Constitution to provide special reservation in employment and educational opportunities to people of the Hyderabad Karnataka region.

This year, the samiti's protests and boycott of the Rajyotsava Day celebrations was more telling

Demonstration

Members of the HKHS hoisted the Hyderabad Karnataka flag and staged a black flag demonstration at the main function attended by Agriculture Marketing Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur in Gulbarga city.

In Bidar, attempts to hoist the Hyderabad Karnataka flag were foiled by the police at the Ambedkar Circle after arresting more than 60 HKHS volunteers, led by its leaders Pandit Chidri and Anilkumar Beldar.

In Raichur, HKHS workers, led by its secretary general Prashantrai Kuri, waved black flags and gheraoed Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Alkod Hanumanthappa near the Ambedkar Circle, when he was returning after participating in the main function to mark Rajyotsava Day celebrations.

In Gulbarga city, the protest was more vocal and workers of the HKHS stormed the venue of the main function of the Rajyotsava Day celebrations and staged a black flag demonstration much to the chagrin of the police personnel, who were taken off guard by the protest.

Police arrested more than 60 workers of the HKHS, including Vikram Patil, son of former Minister Vaijnath Patil. According to eyewitnesses, police had beaten up some of the workers, including Dr. Vikram Patil.

Later, Mr. Darshanapur said he was not aware of the police action. He said he would talk to police officials concerned and take remedial action.

HKHS president Vaijnath Patil said the widespread protest and the boycott of the Rajyotsava Day celebrations only exhibited the simmering discontent among the people of the region owing to the inordinate delay in meeting their demands.

"This is a wake-up call for the State Government. At least now it should take measures to implement the recommendations of the committee and exert pressure on the Centre to amend Article 371," he said.

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