Utsav: Halebeedu bandh total

The bandh call given by various organisations against launching of Hoysala Utsav in Belur on January 8, evoked good response, on Saturday.

Opposing the move of the district administration and the decision of the legislator Y N Rudresh Gowda, for selecting Belur to launch the programme, the public took out a protest rally in the town, on Saturday.

The protest march which began from the Hoysala Circle, passed through the main streets, with the residents raising slogans against the administration and the legislator. All the business establishments had downed their shutters, with traders extending support to the bandh.

The protesters said that the festival had been discontinued since the past eight years, and when it was decided to organise the festival this year, the administration and the legislator had neglected Halebeedu and selected Belur to launch the programme. They warned of indefinite protest if the festival is not held in Halebeedu.

Cutting across the party line, workers of all political parties extended their support to the bandh, led by the Gram Panchayat. Organisations like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and others also supported the bandh call. Gram Panchayat President Krishna, ZP member Jayasheela Jayashankar and others led the march.

Public meeting

Hoysala Horata Samiti leader A S Basavaraju, who spoke at a public meeting after the protest rally, said as a continuation to the Halebeedu bandh, a rasta roko will be held at Belur soon.

A meeting will be held on December 22 to discuss the future course of action related to the festival, said H M Raju, convenor of the Horata Samiti. A decision will also be taken on the indefinite stir, he said.

Preliminary meeting

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner V Anbu Kumar convened a meeting in Hassan to hold discussions about the festival to be launched in Belur on January 8. He said local and national level artistes would perform during the festival. However, he said the dignitary to inaugurate the festival was yet to be decided, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had not yet clarified his plans.