Vijayapura: The demand for the banning of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) does not seem to relent as the pro-Kannada organisations have continued to stage protests. On Tuesday December 28 also, several members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike took out a protest rally and tried to picket the office of Deputy Commissioner in support of their demand.
The large presence of police however foiled their bid and they were detained the protestors. They were later released.
Before that the protestors marched towards the DC’s Office by carrying Kannada flags and raising slogans against the MES. The protestors accused the BJP Government of delaying in meeting their demand of banning MES in the State.
Speaking to mediapersons while being detained, M. C. Mulla, the District President of the Vedike said that the BJP Government has failed to act against MES. Stating that MES has been creating trouble in Belagavi for years by supporting the demand for giving Belagavi to Maharashtra, Mulla said that the Government should not allow MES to go scot free.
“MES has been creating trouble in Belagavi time and again. It either opposes Rajyotsava Day or burns the Kannada flag. Recently MES has damaged the statue of Sangolli Rayanna also. When MES has been maintaining an anti-Karnataka stand for years, then why is the Government keeping quiet. Why is it not banning MES,” he asked.
While Mulla was speaking to mediapersons, other members of Vedike were shouting slogans against the BJP Government. They were accusing the CM and Home Minister of being incompetent to take action against MES.
It may be noted that various Kannada organisations of the State are angry and up in arms against MES for allegedly burning the Kannada flag in Kolhapur of Maharashtra. MES is also accused of damaging the statue of Sangolli Rayanna and portrait of Basaveshwara. Not only Kannada organisations but even the opposition parties have condemned the incident and criticised MES for the act.
