Bhadravati: Students protest against interaction event by Prakash Raj

Bhadravati: A group of student activists staged a protest against an interaction event featuring actor Prakash Raj at New Town’s Sir M Vishweshwaraiah Government Arts & Commerce College on Tuesday.

The students, asserting that Raj’s views were “supportive of anti-national elements”, condemned both the actor and the college principal, Dr. Shailaja S Hosaller, for permitting the event.

Organized jointly by the Federation of Progressive Organisations (Pragatipara Sanghatanegala Okkoota) and Karnataka Vidyarthi Sanghatane, the interaction revolved around the themes of theatre, cinema, and society. Despite a heavy police presence, students confronted the principal and engaged in a heated debate over the college’s decision to host the event.

Local political figures, including BJP Mandal President Dharmaprasad and ABVP representative Dhanush, rallied alongside the students, decrying the presence of “anti-national speakers” like Prakash Raj. The actor and organizers concluded the interaction amid the ongoing protest.

Post-event, the students symbolically purified the venue by cleansing it with cow urine. Principal Shailaja attempted to mediate, but the protest endured.