Meet demands or face our wrath, Idiga community leaders warn government

Arya Idiga community leaders warn Congress government of protests if demands for development and welfare are not met.

At a special meeting of Arya Idiga community leaders organised at a private hotel in Kalaburagi on Sunday and presided over by community seer Pranavananda Swamy, community leaders warned the Congress government of widespread protests across the State if it fails to meet their demands, including issues involving 26 other sub-communities.

“Idiga and the other 26 sub-castes are backward. The government should look into their demands and take honest steps to meet them. I am hopeful that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will take them seriously and make announcements in the next budget to meet the demands,” Pranavananda Swamy said in the meeting.

Their demands include allocation of ₹500 crore to Brahmashree Narayana Guru Idiga Development Corporation and the appointment of Chairman and Directors to it, rehabilitation of Idiga community members who have lost their profession, i.e., Sendhi (local liquor)  production, owing to government measures, the establishment of Brahmashree Narayana Guru study chair in all universities in the State, installing Narayana Guru’s statue on the premises of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, allowing community members to take up Sendhi/ Neera production across the State and opening hostels for community students in all the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka.

“The community has been duped in the last two budgets with little allocations. It should not happen in the next budget. The government should allocate adequate funds as a measure to lift the community from poverty and backwardness. If the government continues to ignore our demands, we will have to resort to widespread protests across the State,” the seer said, calling upon the community leaders to start preparations for mobilising the community members for a decisive agitation.

The seer also made it clear that he was not against any government or political party but was committed to ensuring the development and welfare of the community.

“We need to get united and put pressure on the government to get our issues addressed. We should not allow any attempt that could lead to disunity. We should display strong unity and fight for the future of our young generations,” he said.

Community leader and district president of Janata Dal (Secular) Balaraj Guttedar proposed a Bengaluru Chalo agitation if the government ignores their demands.