DHARWAD: People belonging to the Valmiki community in Dharwad district staged a protest against the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) for not making proper arrangements to celebrate Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti on Saturday.
Valmiki Jayanti is a day that celebrates the birth of Maharishi Valmiki, the revered sage and poet who wrote the Hindu epic Ramayana. It is observed on the full moon night of the Ashwin month and falls on October 28 this year.
Valmiki community president Ashok Valmiki said, “The HDMC corporation officials have insulted Maharishi Valmiki by not making any preparations or arrangements on Valmiki Jayanti.” He also alleged that when the people from the Valmiki community arrived to offer prayers at the Valmiki statue in Hubbali, the statue was in poor condition.
Shortly after the protest was held, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi and BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai intervened and resolved the matter. The HDMC Commissioner and MLA assured the Valmiki community people that appropriate arrangements will be made for the Maharishi Jayanti celebration each year. The officials also promised the Valmiki community to meet their demands within a span of 15 days.
The HDMC is the second largest municipal corporation in Karnataka and was founded in 1962. The HDMC is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad. It administers an area of 202.3 sqkm divided into 67 wards and has a council of 82 elected members from the four Assembly constituencies of Hubballi-Dharwad. (ANI)