BENGALURU: The Belagavi district administration has finally granted permission for the Panchamasali protest on December 10. After an emergency meeting with Basavajaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji and other leaders on Monday afternoon, Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan granted permission for the protest.
The seer has agreed not to use tractors during the protest. The DC said that a cordial discussion was held with swamiji and requested that the protest be held without causing inconvenience to the public.
The seer provided information on the expected number of participants. The administration has also agreed to provide pandals and drinking water facilities. Permission has been granted to use Cruiser vehicles instead of tractors.
Earlier, Panchamasali Lingayat seer Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji threatened to gherao the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha if the government does not fulfill their demand for 2A reservation for the community within a given timeframe.
Speaking to Public TV, Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamiji said, “We are organising a massive convention called ‘Panchamasali Sangharsha Samavesha’. Our demand is that the Chief Minister issue an order granting 2A reservation to the community and include Lingayats in the central OBC list. If they issue an order, we will felicitate the CM and Deputy CM in the convention”.
The swamiji further said, “We have been waiting for two years, and the CM hasn’t even given me an appointment. Now, they’re trying to suppress our movement. They’re not allowing us to get to the protest site. The government has no respect for our community. They’re imposing an emergency-like situation on us. This is a murder of democracy”.
“I have spoken to the DC and SP to fix the venue. Initially, they were not allowing vehicles to reach the site, but now they are allowing vehicles. The CM should respond to our demands. We are not untouchables, our community has played a significant role in bringing them to power”.
“This government is imposing an emergency on our society. Democracy is being killed. I have told people to come by walk if they do not allow their vehicles. If they do not allow us to protest here , we will stage a dharna in front of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. Tractors will surround the legislature building and when I give the call, they will gherao with tractors”, he said.
The seer hit out at CM saying that Lingayat community contributed majorly in Congress coming to power. “If try to suppress our voice, the government will get a bad name. Some people are doing press meets taking the CM’s name. If something unfortunate happens tomorrow, the lawmakers of our community will be blamed. Allow us to protest peacefully and we’ll fight for our rights with love and respect. The government is trying to silence us, but we will continue our peaceful protest. We will not be suppressed”, he said.