Date:27/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/27/stories/2007052702370300.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike blackens English signboards

Staff Correspondent

UP IN ARMS: Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staging a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Bijapur on Saturday.

BIJAPUR: Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on Saturday staged a protest seeking implementation of various pro-Kannada orders issued by the State Government and the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) in letter and spirit.

The protesters, led by district unit president Sheshrao Mane and honorary president S.M. Madivalar gathered at Gandhi Chowk before going in a procession to the Deputy Commissioner's office.

The activists went around the premises and blackened the English signboards and vehicle number-plates including one belonging to the district court.

Mr. Mane said that the KDA had ordered that all the public and private establishments put signboards in Kannada. It had asked the district administrations to implement the order. However, even after a month nothing had been done in this regard, he said.

Stating that the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation maintained bus stand at Nippani in Belgaum district had signboards in Marathi and English, he said the KDA ordered the authorities concerned to change it but in vain.

He demanded that Kannada flag be hoisted at all government offices and road circles. He threatened to launch an agitation if the demands were not met in a month.

The city unit head Sanjeev Karpoorimath, taluk unit office-bearers Prakash

Kumbar, Dastgir Salotagi, Suresh Bijapura, Rajendra Singh Hajeri and Siddu Toravi participated in the protest. They handed over a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner V.B. Patil.