Bandh against HC’s stay order on BC quota underway in Telangana
Hyderabad (PTI): A statewide bandh protesting against the High Court's stay order on 42 per cent quota to BCs in local body polls began in Telangana on Saturday, with all political parties, including the ruling Congress supporting the agitation.
Barring emergency and essential services, all the sectors were requested to cooperate with the bandh.
The Telangana High Court on October 9 issued an interim stay against a Government Order providing 42 per cent BC reservation in local body elections.
Leaders of various political parties and BC organisations are holding dharnas in front of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus depots preventing vehicles from coming out.
BJP Lok Sabha member Etala Rajender participated in the bandh at Jubilee Bus Station here.
A senior official of TGRTC said some disruption of services was witnessed during the early hours at bus stations and depots.
The ruling Congress in Telangana on Friday extended its support to the bandh call given by Telangana Backward Class Joint Action Committee.
The BJP and BRS have also extended their support to the bandh call.
"I appeal to everyone — the general public and all communities — to participate in the BC bandh on October 18, which is being organised across the state against the BJP," Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said in a statement.
R Krishnaiah, Chairman of BC JAC and BJP Rajya Sabha member, had earlier sought support from all political parties and civil society organisations for the bandh.
Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy in a statement on Friday appealed to all organisations to observe the bandh peacefully without causing any inconvenience to the public.
He warned that if anyone resorts to untoward or illegal activities in the name of bandh, stringent action will be taken.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa was laid to rest with full state honours on Monday.
The 94-year-old former minister, who passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday, was cremated at the Kalleshwara Mill premises, following Veerashaiva-Lingayat traditions.
Earlier in the day, Shivashankarappa's mortal remains were brought to his native Davanagere, where they were kept at the high school grounds for the public, his followers, and well-wishers to pay their last respects.
ALSO READ: Karnataka Speaker U T Khader condoles death of Shamanur Shivashankarappa
Expressing deep sorrow over his demise, the Karnataka government ordered that his last rites be performed with full state honours.
Both the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council also mourned his passing, adjourning their sessions for the day after paying tributes.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, several ministers, opposition leaders, legislators, and political figures paid their respects.
A number of seers from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also attended the last rites.
Shivashankarappa represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for some time before succumbing to age-related ailments.
The senior-most legislator in Karnataka, Shivashankarappa, was also one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the country, sources said.
He is survived by three sons, including S S Mallikarjun, the Karnataka Minister for Mines, Geology, and Horticulture, and four daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.
A six-time MLA, Shivashankarappa also served as a minister and an MP.
He was a prominent educationist, establishing several educational institutions, and was an industrialist.
Additionally, he served as the treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for decades and was the president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
