‘Demand for statehood a ploy to dilute Article 371(J) benefits’

Strongly opposing the demand for North Karnataka statehood, members of the Kalyana Karnataka Horata Samiti have termed it an attempt by leaders and organisations from Kittur Karnataka to dilute the Constitutional benefits granted to Kalyana Karnataka region under Article 371(J).

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, samiti president Lakshman Dasti said that the region has been accorded special status to address historical backwardness and regional imbalance.

He said that Kagwad MLA and NWKRTC chairman Bharamagouda (Raju) Kage has raised the issue of statehood for North Karnataka to encroach upon the benefits and reservations meant for the people of Kalyana Karnataka region.

The samiti will also write to the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister condemning the demand and urging them to safeguard the Constitutional guarantees under Article 371(J), he added.

Mr. Dasti recalled that during the formation of a unified Karnataka, leaders from Hyderabad Karnataka strongly supported linguistic unity, despite being offered the option of forming their own State.

“After decades of struggle, political will and the Nanjundappa Committee recommendations, Article 371(J) was brought in for the benefit of Kalyana Karnataka region. Since then, a few leaders from Mumbai Karnataka have been attempting to bring their districts under its ambit and are now seeking to merge regions under the guise of a new North Karnataka state,” he said.

He said that influential leaders from Kittur Karnataka have consistently diverted major infrastructure and Central projects to their region, denying Kalyana Karnataka its due share.

Calling upon Ministers, MPs and legislators from Kalyana Karnataka region to oppose the proposal in the upcoming Winter Session in Belagavi, Mr. Dasti warned against any attempt to undermine Article 371(J) through indirect means, asserting that such divisive calls threaten the integrity of Karnataka.

Samiti honorary president Basavaraj Deshmukh and senior activists R.K. Hudgi, Rauf Khadri and Lingaraj Sirgapur were present.