Karnataka - Bidar   

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike stages rail roko

BIDAR: Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on Saturday staged a rail roko at the railway station here demanding, among other things, amendment of Article 371 of the Constitution and classical language status for Kannada.

They blocked the Bidar-Bangalore Link Express and raised slogans in support of their demands, which included speedy completion of work on the railway laying between Bidar and Gulbarga. Prior to the rail roko, the members took out a procession from Ambedkar Circle. Addressing the demonstrators, Veerupaksha Gaddgi, president of the Hyderabad Karnataka division of the vedike, said that the Hyderabad Karnataka region was still backward owing to the stepmotherly attitude of the Union and State governments. He said that the amendment of Article 371 was necessary for the development of the region.

He warned the Union Government that the vedike would intensify its protest if it did not take steps in that direction.

Mr. Gaddgi said that the protest would be on the lines of the Cauvery agitation. He also condemned the delay in according classical language status to Kannada. District president of the vedike Veeru Digwal and secretary Basavraj Bhutamurgi took part in the protest. Members of the Kannadaambe Geleyara Balaga also participated. The Kannada Abhivruddhi Ekikarana Samiti extended support to the protesters.

Gulbarga Special Correspondent reports:

Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedhike disrupted rail traffic on the Chennai-Mumbai section at Gulbarga Railway Station, demanding amendment to Article 371 of the Constitution and classical language status to Kannada, among other things.

They detained the Mumbai-Chennai Mail for about 10 minutes.

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