Demanding a separate north Karnataka State is the “only option” left for people of the region, given the further delay in amending Article 371, president of the Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti Vaijnath Patil has said.
He was reacting to the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs to withdraw the amendment Bill, “in view of the opinion of the State government of Karnataka”, and reintroduce a modified version in Parliament after holding discussions with the State government.
“We had believed special status to the Hyderabad Karnataka region under Article 371 would solve our problems. But it seems the State government is indifferent to our problems. We are disappointed with its decision,” Mr. Patil said at a ‘rasta roko’ here on Saturday.
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He demanded that the State government clarify its stand and the Centre introduce the Bill in the winter session.
Otherwise, the samiti would start an agitation for a separate State, he warned.
Members of the Jai Karnataka Sanghatane, Hyderabad Karnataka Janapara Sangharsha Samiti and the youth wing of the Janata Dal (S) also organised protests.
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They criticised the Chief Minister and demanded that the State government withdraw its objections to the Bill.