Pro-Kannada activists stage fresh protests, warn of massive stir in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Condemning the arrest of activist Narayan Gowda and others, the pro-Kannada activists on Thursday, 28 December, staged fresh protests in the Hassan district of Karnataka by blocking the National Highway- 75, following which they were detained by the police.

Amid a spate of arrests that took place following the protests in the technology hub of the country, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has warned of bringing the city of Bengaluru to a standstill in case the administration fails to release the arrested pro-Kannada activists.

KRV member Praveen Shetty told Republic on Thursday: "we are issuing a warning. The innocent Kannada activists who were arrested last night, and sent to jail must be released immediately. If the Kannada activists are not released, we will create a massive stir in the entire city of Bengaluru.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to hold a high-level meeting today, in connection with the installation of Kannada nameplates in front of shops and offices, news agency ANI reported. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Culture Department officials are also expected to participate in the meeting.

DK Sivakumar: Govt won't allow anyone to take law into their hands

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Sivakumar said the government will not allow anyone to take law into their own hands in the state in the name of fighting for the Kannada language.

"We are not against the pro-Kannada activists but they should not take law into their hands. We are not ready to accept damage caused to the properties in Bengaluru," news agency PTI quoted Sivakumar as saying.

"We have to save Kannada and we respect those who fight for saving Kannada but that should not mean that the government will shut it's eyes to vandalism," he reportedly said.

The Deputy CM said the government directions are clear that signboards, advertisements and name plates should have 60 percent Kannada, and there is a way to implement it such as issuing notices to those violating this norm.

The protesters can stage protests and raise slogans but damaging property is not acceptable, he added.