Pvt buses, autos to remain off road in Kodagu

The private bus owners and autorickshaw drivers have taken a decision not to run buses and autos in the district on Saturday, following a bandh call given by various organisations in protest against Tipu Jayanti.

Private buses and autos will not ply on the roads till noon. Even business establishments are likely to remain closed in Madikeri. 

The district administration will organise Tipu Jayanti at Old Fort Hall in Madikeri at 9 am.

Police security has been stepped up in and around the hall. District In-Charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh will inaugurate the programme. 

The names of BJP leaders, MLAs K G Bopaiah and M P Appacchu Ranjan, MLC Sunil Subramani and ZP president B A Harish have been printed in the official invite. The BJP leaders had written a letter urging their names to be dropped from the official invite.

The district police and RAF personnel took out a route march to instill confidence among the residents in Kushalnagar and Somwarpet in the district on Friday.

In a press meet, Samana Manaskara Vedike has urged the authorities to observe Tipu Jayanti in public.

Vedike office-bearer K R Vidyadhar welcomed the government’s move to observe Tipu Jayanti amid opposition. The public should also be allowed to observe Tipu Jayanti, he added.

Thinker Allaranda Vitala Nanjappa said, “Tipu had renovated several temples in the state. No efforts are being made to create awareness in this regard.” 

Member D S Nirvanappa accused Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy of fleeing from Tipu Jayanti celebrations by not taking part in it. 

Action sought

Kodagu Muslim Samaja Working president Khasim has urged the authorities concerned to initiate action against columnist Santosh Tammaiah for derogatory remarks on Islam. 

He said it was not necessary to condemn Prophet Mohammed while opposing Tipu Jayanti.

CMC member Amin Mohisin said, “In the backdrop of suspension of bus services by private bus operators on Saturday, the district administration should operate government buses to ensure that there is no inconvenience to the public and tourists in the district.”