Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 3: On the sideline of press meet held on Saturday, November 2 former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, commenting on hoisting of Kannada flag, said, “Why there is duality in Karnataka regarding hoisting of Kannada flag on the day of Kannada Rajyotsava? Yesterday the flag was hoisted in many parts of the state, but not in Udupi. Earlier there were no issues of flag when I was the district in-charge minister. It was just in course of discussion.”
Regarding droping out of Tipu Jayanti celebration, Sorake said, “When Jagadish Shettar and Yediyurappa were in opposition party, they enjoyed by dressing like Tipu. But now same leaders are opposing him. It is quite strange. Why they are showing different interests? When they are in opposition party their policy was different and now it is just the opposite. Why there is difference of opinion? Even president of India Kovind also mentioned the name and history of Tipu.
“We are very clear about our stand now and then also on the Tipu Jayanti issue, but BJP is not. Now the BJP government is thinking to change the history.”
Sorake denied commenting more on removal of Tipu lesson from the history books of schools.
“On one occasion, Trump called Prime Minister Modi as the ‘Father of Nation’. Why they did not stop Trump from giving such a statement? It clearly shows that Modi is ready to take over the position of Gandhiji, the actual father of the nation,” said Sorake.
Apart from the political issues, Sorake mentioned about the protest meet that is going to be held against the second phase expansion of ISPRL (Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited).
A large protest will be held under the leadership of former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake at Majur, in front of ISPRL against second phase expansion of ISPRL project on Monday, November 4.
The major demands of the protesters are:
*The company should give compensation to villagers of Padur, who have lost their fertile land in the first phase
*Installation of non-rehabilitation Colony with basic infrastructure
*The company should hire one person from each land loser family
*The landlosers should get compensate money three times more the current market price.
*The company should either repair or build new houses for the damaged ones.
As part of protest meet on November 4, a padayathra is organised from Majur till ISPRL branch office. A huge protest meet will be held after the rally. If the company does not agree to fulfill the above demands, the villagers of Padur and other local area villagers will go on massive protest in coming days.