Gadag bandh over Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar evokes good response

Gadag bandh call by Dalit organisations demands Amit Shah's apology, evokes strong response with protests and solidarity.

The Gadag bandh call given by a federation of various Dalit organisations to condemn Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on B.R. Ambedkar and seek his dismissal from the Union Cabinet and also his apology to the nation evoked good response on Tuesday.

Over 50 organisations and associations extended support to the bandh call given by the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti Okkuta. The district Congress unit too expressed solidarity with the federation with district president and Ron MLA G.S. Patil and former MLA D.R. Patil participating in the protest.

The protest held as part of the bandh began as early as 6 a.m. with protestors chanting the name of Ambedkar, taking out motorcycle rallies, staging demonstrations at junctions and burning the Union Home Minister in an effigy and raising slogans against him.

Holding protest meetings at different junctions, office-bearers of various orgnaisations demanded that the Union Home Minister tender a public apology for disgracing Ambedkar. They warned that if Mr. Shah fails to tender an apology, the protests will intensify in the coming days.

The protestors raised Jai Bhim slogans and sang revolutionary songs written in the praise of Ambedkar. They also warned that if anyone continues speaking lightly about Ambedkar, their externment will be sought under the framework of the Constitution.

Most of the shopkeepers and owners of commercial establishments closed their business for the day voluntarily. On account of the bandh call, a holiday was declared for local schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.

There was no public transport within the city and all the long route buses were diverted via alternative routes.