Kittur Utsav: Kannada activists stage flash protest

Accusing the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) of insulting warrior queen Kittur Rani Channamma, when the state is celebrating Kittur Utsav, members of various Kannada organisations staged a flash protest and blocked a busy road in Belagavi on Tuesday.

Kannada activists blocked traffic at the Rani Channamma circle, to express their ire against BCC's neglect in maintaining the statue.

Activists said that the civic body had failed to maintain the Rani Channamma statue. The statue had not been given a facelift. The paint on the statue had peeled off, making it an eye sore, the activists said.

"Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy himself inaugurated the three-day utsav. But BCC has failed to give the statue a makeover," activists added.

BCC had only spray washed the statue, one day before the utsav. The statue was disfigured by the wash.

The issue came to fore, when Kannada activists visited the spot to garland the statue. They were shocked to see the utter disregard shown by BCC.

They formed a human chain and blocked traffic. Police tried to pacify the protesters but in vain. The protesters demand that BCC officials visit the spot. The protest was withdrawn after BCC officials arrived and assured action. Traffic was disrupted for an hour.