Protests give commuters a tough time

A series of protests in Bangalore
Several protests and rallies on Bangalore roads gave commuters a tough time
Deccan Herald

Traffic on Seshadri Road was blocked for nearly an hour on Monday afternoon when Dalit Sangarsha Samithi (DSS) and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) activists sat on a dharna in front of Maharani’s College in Bangalore. Over 100 activists participated in a rally which was held earlier.

The dharna was later called off when Minister for Municipal Administration S R Morey rushed to the spot and managed to pacify the activists.

The activists submitted a memorandum to the minister urging the State government to waive the interest on loans taken by farmers and Dalits in the State. The activists also demanded fresh loans, regular electricity supply to farmers’ pump sets, to construct pukka house for dalits under the Ashraya and Ambedkar Housing Schemes.

They also requested more Yellow ration cards for Dalit families living under the Below Poverty Level.

Fuel prices
Bangalore on Monday witnessed three protests against the recent hike in prices of petroleum products. As a part of the one-day nation-wide protest called by BJP against the hike in prices of Petroleum goods, the party’s youth wing held a protest at Anand Rao Circle. Nearly 150 activists shouted slogans against the UPA Government and termed the hike an anti-people policy. The protest was led by MLAs Ashok and Katta Subramanya Naidu, MLC Vimala Gowda.

Women protest
Meanwhile, Akhila Bharatha Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane also held a protest at Mysore Bank Circle against the hike in LPG, Petrol and Diesel prices and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

Ms Vimala, State General Secretary of the Sanghatane urged the government to reduce the import duties levied on petroleum goods.

She said that the said hike in prices will also affect other essential commodities and transportation.

The government should levy import duties on luxurious goods instead of petroleum goods so that the common people will not suffer, she added.

In another protest, MLA Vatal Nagraj and activists of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha burnt the effigy of the Central government in front of KSRTC Grounds in Subhash Nagar.

Mr Vatal Nagaraj also demanded the implementation of Mahajan report, new railway lines to the State and to provide job reservation for Kannadigas.