“Mathsyagandha train that operated between Mangalore and Mumbai has been extended till Thiruvanathapuram. This is a conspiracy to facilitate the Malayalis, brushing aside people of this region and this move must be opposed by the people of this region unitedly,” said city based advocate Dinesh Hegde Ulepady.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, Mr Hegde said that a preparatory meeting will be held at Hotel Woodlands on October 14 to discuss about the matter.

“With the train being extended till Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala, the reservation seats for other centres in coastal Karnataka has been reduced and accordingly people in this region find it very difficult to get a reservation. 

The general berths are booked well in advance by the people from Kerala. We have found that only about 30 seats are available for the people from Mangalore,” he added.

He said that Mathsyagandha was operating between Mangalore-Mumbai profitably with number of passengers increasing day by day. Hence, there was need for a new train in this route. While there good number of trains between Kerala and Mumbai, an additional one was not required at all.

He said that Mangalore specifically has been meted out with step motherly treatment as atmost priority has been given to the Malayalis.

“Kannadigas are brushed aside in the Railway department. In Mangalore there are only Malayalis employed and Kannadigas have to speak in Malayalam or in English for enquiries,” he said and opined that even extension of Mathsyagandha to Thiruvananthapuram is the handy work of Malayalis.

Kannada Sahithya Parishat former state president Harikrishna Punaroor and others were present at the news conference.