Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Herur exhibits clout over Kabbaliga community

GULBARGA: The former Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Vittal Herur exhibited his influence over the Kabbaliga community with a procession from the MSK Mill grounds to the Nutan Vidyalaya Grounds in the city where the Jayantotsava of 12th century social reformer Nijasharana Ambigara Chowdaiah was held.

Mr. Herur’s show of strength effectively silenced his critics in the community who had taken exception to his joining the Congress at the Jayantotsava, which was a religious function. Thousands of people braved the scorching sun and patiently waited at the MSK Mill Ground for more than four hours for the procession to start.

The procession was originally scheduled to start at 11 a.m., but started only after 3 p.m.

Three jyothis of Ambigara Chowdaiah, which were brought from Yanegundi in Gulbarga district, Basavakalyan in Bidar district and Chowdadanapur in Haveri district arrived here on Saturday.

The procession was inaugurated by Sri Siddarama Shivacharyaru of Mahatpur Math at Chennayagiri, Sri Siddarama Sharanaru Beldal Koutashrama in Bidar, Sri Sharanabasava Appa Mahaswamigal, Siddarameshwar Dasoha Peeta Bagalkkot and a few other swamijis.

The procession passed through the main roads of the city and converged at the Nutan Vidyalaya Grounds before reaching the Deputy Commissioner’s office for presenting a memorandum demanding that the Union Government include the Kabbaliga community in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

A strong section of the Congress leaders belonging to the Kabbaliga community led by former member of the Backward Classes Commission Thippanna Kamakanur had protested against Mr. Herur joining the party.

Another senior Kabbaliga leader in the Congress party and former Minister Baburao Chavan boycotted the Jayantotsava. However, other senior Congress leaders including Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president M. Mallikarjun Kharge and former MLA N.S. Boseraju participated in it.

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