Over eight thousand youth, mostly students from different parts of the district, have assembled at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Raichur on Saturday to participate in Student-Youth Conference for demanding Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Raichur.
Koopal and Ballari Lok Sabha members Karadi Sanganna and B. Shriramulu, MLAs Shivaraj Patil, Tipparaj Hawaldar, A.S. Patil Nadahalli, MLC N.S. Boseraju, farmers’ leader Chamarasa Malipatil, Congress leader C.M. Ibrahim, JD(S) State unit vice president Mahantesh Patil Attanur, industrialist E. Anjaneya and IIT Horata Samithi president Basavaraj Kalasa were among those who participated in the Conference.
Addressing a huge gathering, Mr. Ibrahim termed the ongoing agitation as a historic one that involved people from all walks of life. He justified the demand on the basis of social justice principle.
“This is a real people’s movement as it is not based religion, caste, class or any political consideration. The movement has united people of different walks of life and brought all political parties on a single platform for a cause. The movement should not only be intensified, but also should also be expanded to other parts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region,” he said.
He suggested that the Union Government to either establish the IIT already granted in Raichur or to grant one more IIT for Karnataka so as to resolve the conflict on the issue.
IIT Horata Samithi president Basavaraj Kalasa, while delivering keynote address, said that the denial of IIT to Raichur is a historic injustice.
“Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa panel on regional imbalances had recommended Central University for Gulbarga, Indian Institute of Information Technology for Dharwad and Indian Institute of Technology for Raichur. There were no issues when the first two had been implemented. However, when it comes to implement the third one, Union and State governments opposed and denied Raichur of its legitimate right,” he said.
He warned that the denial of IIT would make the demand for statehood for Hyderabad Karnataka stronger. “If the State is split, both Congress and BJP would be responsible,” he said.
“We generate power for State. We produce gold for the State. We produce paddy for the State. But we are given polluting industries and denied sophisticated institutions like IIT,” he said.
MLA A.S. Patil Nadahalli asked the governments to stop delivering speeches and start delivering justice.
Ballari Lok Sabha member B. Shriramulu expressed the need of collective action by all political parties setting aside the differences and past mistakes. “The governments must respect Dr. Nanjundappa panel’s recommendation and set up IIT in Raichur,” he said.
He demanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We, all the Lok Sabha members from Hyderabad Karnataka region, are ready to be part the delegation,” he said.
