Former Zilla Panchayat president Y Ramappa’s statement on the polling day at Neralgi village has sparked a cold war between the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and AHINDA (acronym for minorities, the backward classes and Dalits) communities.

Alleging that Ramappa had abused Lingayat community, the video of which has gone viral, members and leaders of Lingayat community, cutting across the party lines, on Thursday took out a massive protest march in the city.

The agitators demanded the government to take action against Ramappa on charges of caste abuse.

Meanwhile, Y Ramappa, in a press meet, told reporters, “I have not used Veerashaiva-Lingayat word anywhere. Hence, the question of me tendering apology never arises. In fact, during the protest, the agitators have abused the caste. So, they should apologise, failing which, I will convene a meeting of AHINDA leaders in a week and stage a protest. We will show the strength of AHINDA,” he said.