Opportunist politicians cry for separate state
The concept of small states is not impractical. Several analysts have often opined that small countries and small states are conducive to progress and are more manageable than the large ones. Many political experts have also seen how smaller states have been able to make comprehensive improvement right from base level to upwards. So, when a cry for separate state arises, one need not dismiss it without a thought. In the last four decades, the number of states has always been increasing in India.
Despite all the opposition, Telangana was born. That didn’t cause any major earth shattering changes in Andhra Pradesh. All those geographical borders exist for the betterment of human beings, as against human beings existing to protect them. Those lines of separation are imaginary ones that carry a lot of emotions on their shoulders. If one severs the bond with one’s own motherland, and everything that comprises it, the lines that denote the border wouldn’t have any significance to them.
One can consider the example of Kashmir which is fighting to separate itself from India. The callousness of central government since ages has led to the Kashmiris distancing themselves from the rest of the country. Unless people accept Kashmiris as our own people, that state can never feel in unison with the rest of the country. Owing to the Sangh Parivar interference in the matter, the issue of Kashmir has turned into a massive quagmire. If this is a demand for a separate nation, the demand for separate state is no different either.
Karnataka has been witnessing this situation in Belagavi since many decades. At some point of time, Kannadigas outnumbered people who spoke other languages. Today, Kannadigas have to put up a massive fight if they have to insist on their rightful existence in the city. This could also be the result of state ignoring its borders, but the government has to exert itself to make its presence felt in Belagavi. The government on its side, remembers Belagavi only when someone tears away the Kannada flag somewhere in that region. Unless the people living in that region feel they are in solidarity with the state, and that Karnataka and Kannada are their identities, Belagavi will keep resisting the imposition of Kannada on them.
Ever since the new government came into being, the cry for separate state has gained more volume. This started with the pretext of Kumaraswamy ignoring north Karnataka in the maiden budget. Following this, some of the statements made by the CM have also been under scrutiny to strengthen the cry. A strong rumour of CM Kumaraswamy being anti-North Karnataka has been set afloat with a particular agenda. Though there is reality in the claim that North Karnataka has not seen much progress owing to the taken for granted attitude by the politicians of that region, this cry for separate state is something that surely has some conspiracy under its wings. One has to understand the genuine need for this separation, and the people who are leading this or promoting this issue.
The most tragic aspect of this whole issue is that the looters of Ballari, who have earned thousands of crores and turned the lives of people living in that area as living hell; they are the ones who are bolstering this fight. MLA Sriramulu and other BJP leaders are adding more volume to this fight with constantly issuing statements in the media. But they forget the fact that they are very much responsible for the regression of North Karnataka. The feudal set up that resembles the mining barons, and undeclared ‘rulers’ of North Karnataka, the agriculturists and labourers are suffering in that area.
One need not explain how Ballari was looted, natural resources plundered and people were left with nothing but the dust of mining. Many leaders from North Karnataka have grown into national level politicians. They have even become the CMs too. And yet, they did not want to see the progress of the area. Now the same politicians are trying to make hay while the separate state cries get louder. With this, they are trying shrug their responsibility in the situation north Karnataka is in, today. Even those leaders who represented Kodagu, did the same thing. They progressed personally. But the tribal people of Kodagu remained in the same situation as they are. The region is very much in the clutches of landlords of the yore. This has been the main reason for Kodagu to lag behind in terms of progress. Because all the governments have only engaged with the wealthy upper caste coffee planters. The poor adivasis neither have the representation, nor the voice to speak to the government.
It should be the biggest irony that the same BJP leaders who have divided the nation in the name of religion and caste, are also raising cries of separate state in the context of regional discrimination. Karnataka is a hub of different cultures and languages. The BKP wants to slowly erase that and take it into the control of central government, and impose hindi. And to achieve this goal, they need North Karnataka, which could conveniently be a hindi belt. The cry for separate state is not arising from the hearts of people of the region, but more a political game. Kannadigas need to stand in solidarity against this and retain their state with all its glory.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
