Street struggles, road blockades and hunger strikes demanding Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Raichur continued for the 13th consecutive day on Monday.
Thousands of students from different schools and colleges, including those from the Government First Grade College, boycotted their classes and joined the protests.
Traffic affected
Students and activists of different civil society organisations formed human chains at both Basaveshwara Circle and Ambedkar Circle simultaneously by blocking major roads and bringing traffic movement to a standstill for almost an hour.
Students raised slogans hailing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his initiative to freshly recommend Raichur for IIT and condemning BJP State unit president Prahlad Joshi, Leader of Assembly Jagadish Shettar and Union Minister Ananth Kumar for their “stubborn opposition” to getting the IIT for Raichur.
Several tires were burnt during the protests. On the other hand, the serial hunger strike in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue at district stadium continued for the eight day.
Five Bahujan Samaj Party leaders — Hanumanthappa, Mahaveer, Doddappa Maski, Mehabub Kavital and Adanagowda — fasted voluntarily.
The students protesting in the city later joined the leaders to extend their support. Addressing at the agitation, Abhijit, a student leader, attacked the BJP for its “resistance” to the development of the Hyderabad Karnataka region.
