Karnataka Highlights: Vokkaligas warn Modi-Shah duo of retaliation; about 15,000 march to Freedom Park

Supporters of D K Shivakumar have planned a massive protest today against his arrest in a money laundering case. The Congress leader was arrested on September 4 by the Enforcement Directorate after prolonged questioning. Stay tuned for live updates.

The rally by Vokkaliga community has reached JC Road.Traffic has come to standstill in the surrounding areas. Hundreds of protesters had already gathered near Freedom Park, where traffic is affected too.

Vokkaligas hit the road to protest against the arrest of Congress leader D K Shivakumar. (DH Photo)

Vokkaligas begin the massive protest rally. Close to 15,000 supporters of DK Shivakumar beginsilent march from National College towards the Freedom Park.

Congress MLAs Krishna Byregowda, Sowmya Reddy, Dinesh Gundu Rao, former MLAs Chaluvaraya Swamy, Narendra Swamy, Balakrishna, former MP VS Ugrappa and several other leaders address protestors at National College Ground.

A Karnataka Special Reserve Police (KSRP) battalion is positioned at the Minerva Circle to check on any possible violence during the protest rally.

Vokkaligas warn Modi-Shah duo of retaliation if they target their community leaders

Vokkaligara Sangha members warn Modi-Shah duo of severe retaliation politically if they continue to target the Vokkaliga community and its leaders.

As many as 5,000 Vokkaligas have gathered at the National College Grounds to take part in the protest rally against DK Shivakumar's arrest.

Yesterday, D K Shivakumar requested his supporters to conduct peaceful protest andnot tocause any inconvenience to citizens, in a tweet. He asked protesters to ensure public property isn't harmed.

Supporters of D K Shivakumar and his parliamentarian brother D K Suresh from Ramanagar and Kanakapura are coming in large numbers in private vehicles and buses. Heavy rush of vehicles likely to throw traffic out of gear in central business distrit (CBD), which includes Indiranagar, MG Road, Vidhan Soudha.

Leaders gathered at National College Ground for a protest rally against D K Shivakumar's arrest. (DH Photo)

Protest rally to begin at 11:30 am

More than 1,000 members have already gathered at National College and the protest rally is likely to begin by 11:30 am after a brief address by the community leaders.

Pontiff of Nandikeshwar mutt visited the residence of DK Shivakumar in the morning at Sadashivanagar and interacted with the family members — wife and children.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a major pro-Kannada organisation, President Narayana Gowda addresses media at the protest venue. Gowda says he is not representing KRV but as a Vokkaliga he has joined the protest. KRV has nothing to do with the protest.

Stage set for flagging off the protest rally at National College Grounds in Basavanagudi. (DH Photo)

Vokkaligas vent their ire against the Modi-Shah duo by calling it as ‘Gujarati Oppression’ and warned that led by their leaders, they will hold protests in even more bigger way.

Vokkaligas from different part of the city are congregating in their locality and descending on National College Grounds for a massive protest rally.

DK Shivakumar accuses BJP govt of vendetta politics

Accusing the BJP government of indulging in vendetta politics, Karnataka Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who is currently in Enforcement Directorate custody, on Tuesday exuded confidence that he will emerge victorious both legally and politically.
He also thanked party leaders and supporters for standing behind him and urged them to hold a peaceful protest in Bengaluru on Wednesday and not cause any inconvenience to common people.

Read the full report here.

ED summons DK Shivakumar's daughter Aisshwarya

Enforcement Directorate officials on Tuesday issued summons to Aisshwarya, daughter of beleaguered Congress leader D K Shivakumar.

The officials visited Shivakumar's Sadashivanagar residence in the city and delivered the summons notice. Theyhave directed her to appear before investigating officials on September 12. This comesas a blow to Shivakumar, who is currently under ED custody in Delhi till September 13, when his bail petition is expected to come up for hearing.

Read the full report here.

Congress, JD(S), other outfits to protest arrest of Shivakumar

The Congress, Janata Dal(S) and some other outfits called for a "Raj Bhavan Chalo" march on September 11 in protest against the arrest of Congress leader D K Shivakumar. The other outfits include the Vokkaliga Sangha and the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayana Gowda faction). Leaders of these outfits will address the gathering after which they will march towards the Raj Bhavan.

Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said an additional 550 home guards and supervising officials will monitor footage of 500 CCTV cameras installed along the route of the rally. As many as 20 officials of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police have been deployed to supervise the security arrangements, Rao said.
“Despite the protest being organised on the first working day after a public holiday, we have granted permission for the rally solely because the issue is an emotional one and we have placed trust in the organisers,” said Rao.

The police have deployed 90 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and City Armed Reserve (CAR) along with 10,000 police personnel to monitor law and order situation in the city.

Police beef up security for Vokkaliga groups rally

The city police have made elaborate security arrangements as they braced for the massive show of strength by Vokkaliga groups in support of D K Shivakumar in the city on Wednesday.

The protest rally is scheduled to begin at 11 am from National College Grounds in Basavanagudi and pass through JC Road, Town Hall, Kempegowda Road and Palace Road before reaching its final destination, Freedom Park. According to organisers, the rally will continue until 3 pm.

Vokkaliga groups to rally against DKS’ arrest

In what will be a show of strength, Vokkaliga groups will hit the streets with the backing of the Congress, in support of former minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday.

A massive rally-cum-protest has been planned from National College grounds in Basavanagudi till Freedom Park.
The Congress is looking to make the most of the consolidation of the Vokkaliga sentiment in Shivakumar’s favour. The Vokkaligas are one of the two most influential communities in Karnataka, with the other being Lingayats, who are believed to be traditionally the BJP’s core support base.
Read the report here.

Over 10,000 members of various Vokkaliga sanghas are expected to hit the streets as part of the protest. They plan to march from the National College grounds in Basavanagudi to Freedom Park.

The Congress and many other Opposition parties, including the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS), have called the arrest an exhibition of the BJP's vendetta politics.

The protest will be led by leaders of the dominant Vokkaliga community. At least 10 different organisations of the Vokkaliga community will participate in this mammoth protest.

Congress leader DK Shivakumar on Tuesday appealed to his supporters to maintain peace and ensure that public property isn't harmed.

Good morning readers, supporters of D K Shivakumar have planned a massive protest today against his arrest in a money laundering case. The Congress leader was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week after prolonged questioning.