Karnataka - Bidar   

Stir against controversial book intensifies

Staff Correspondent

Bandh in Bidar district total and peaceful; protest rallies taken out in several towns

Growing opposition: Members of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha taking out a protest march against the controversial book Anudeva Horaganavanu in Bidar on Friday.

Bidar: The Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha organised a bandh seeking a ban on the controversial book “Anudeva Horganavanu” in several places in the district on Friday. The bandh was total and peaceful except for an incident in which a government bus was stoned in Bidar.

Schools, colleges, shops and private offices were closed. Some government offices were closed. Movement of buses and other commercial vehicles was stopped. Miscreants threw stones at a bus belonging to the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation when it tried to leave the bus stand. The loss was yet to be estimated, police said.

Protestors went in a motorcycle rally and reportedly forced the closure of shops in the morning. Tension prevailed when some people tried to close the Punjab National Bank. Police intervened and dispersed the protestors. Protestors gathered at the Basaveshwar Circle by noon and marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office from there. They burnt effigies of writer Banjagere Jayaprakash and Home Minister M.P. Prakash, who they alleged had not favoured a ban on the book.

Mahasabha leaders later addressed protestors on the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises. They demanded a ban on the book, seizure of sold copies and legal action against Dr. Jayaprakash.

Sri Shivayogishwar Swamiji of Bhatambra said that the thought and reform activities of Basaveshwara were more important than his birth or caste.

Akka Annapurna demanded the doctorate awarded to Dr. Jayaprakash be withdrawn. Sri Shivacharya of Tadola called upon the community to remain united in times of crisis. Sri Basavalinga Pattaddevaru asked the community to be vigilant.

Former city municipal council president Chandu Patel, Sharanappa Mithare, Ramalingappa Deoni, Rajshekar Swamy Gorta, Amar Yerolkar, Subhash Dana, Anand Devappa, Shivasharanappa Wali, Shakuntala Beldale, Shamanna Bavuge, and others spoke.

In Aurad, protestors walked from the Bidar Road Cross to the Tehsil office.

In Basava Kalyan, a huge rally was organised by various organisations. Over 6,000 people gathered in front of the Tehsil office. Mahasabha national president Bheemanna Khandre spoke. Mallikarjun Khuba, MLA, demanded a ban on the book. In Humnabad, Mr Khandre, Subhas Kallur Rajsheerkar Patil, Narendra Mishra and others led the rally.

In Bhalki, a rally was organised from the ABVM office to Ambedkar Chowk. Protests were also organised in Hallikhed B and Santpur villages.

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