Gokak came to a standstill on Wednesday as a bandh demanding district status for the city received strong public support. The shutdown, led by Murugharajendra Swamiji and the Gokak District Formation Struggle Committee, saw complete closure of shops, markets and business establishments. Lawyers, doctors, traders, Kannada organisations, farmers’ bodies and leaders from across political parties joined the agitation.
For more details : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/gokak-bandh-over-demand-for-new-district-evokes-huge-response/articleshow/125748482.cms
The protest began with garlanding the Sangolli Rayanna statue, followed by a huge rally that passed through major parts of the city before concluding at Basaveshwar Circle. Protesters burnt tyres to express anger over what they termed government inaction.
Leaders reiterated that Gokak’s demand for district status has been pending for four decades and argued that Belagavi district is too large to administer effectively. The committee said it would meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah soon and give him a four-day deadline to respond, warning of intensified protests if the government fails to act.
Youth activist Sarvottam Jarkiholi reaffirmed his family’s long-standing support for the movement and expressed confidence that the demand would soon be fulfilled.
Read also : MLA Slams Officials Over Harassment of Disabled Street Vendors in Belagavi
