Successive govts failed to tread Urs' path: Vishwanath

Former MP A H Vishwanath on Friday took a veiled dig at successive governments for failing to protect the interest of farmers, deviating from the path tread by former chief minister the late D Devaraj Urs.

Speaking at a programme, organised to mark birth centenary celebrations of Urs, jointly by Arasu Jagruti Academy and Arasu Patrike, Vishwanath, who is also the chairman of the Executive Committee of Urs’ year-long birth centenary celebrations, said Urs wanted to get rid of ‘absentee landlords’ and hand over the land to the actual farmers.

“He practised what he preached by introducing ‘Uluvavanige Bhoomi’ scheme. In the current days, lands are again in the possession of corrupt officials and politicians,” Vishwanath said.

Similarly, Urs freed labourers from the shackles of bonded labour system, besides bailing out farmers in debt through loan waiver schemes. The farmers are being haunted by the same old problems, he said.

Vishwanath dared Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to script a new chapter, if he really has concern for the welfare of farmers and backward classes.

He highlighted the dilapidated condition of Varuna canal, a major contribution of Urs. “Urs had to face the wrath of the people in Mandya, when he decided to build the canal for the benefit of farmers in Mysuru,” he said.

Sooraj M N Hegde, grandson of Urs, who is secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in New Delhi, recalled vivid memories of his grandfather.

“Such was his popularity that when he came to watch a football match in Kanteerava Stadium, there was a huge round of applause from the gathering. But, he was out of power at that time and still had a commendable influence on the masses,” said Hegde.

Honorary president of Arasu Jagruti Academy M G R Urs appealed to the government to give due recognition for eligible leaders from the community during the nomination for various boards and corporations and also the Legislative Council, and also for Rajyotsava awards and Nadoja honorary degree.