Rajyotsava celebrations in Chikkamagaluru marred by protests, Several Dalit leaders detained

Chikkamagaluru: It was an eventful celebration of the 67th Karnataka Rajyotsava at the Subash Chandra Bose playground on Tuesday.

Deputy Collector K N Ramesh unfurled the flag, in the absence of district in-charge minister Byrati Basavaraj to celebrate the state’s formation in 1956. Byrati Basavaraj chose to participate in the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in Davanagere, of which he is also the in-charge minister.

At the official celebration held at the Subash Chandra Bose playground in the city, school children, along with the police, held a parade. Cultural programs including Kansale, Dollu, Chende Vadya, and Veeragase, were also displayed.

Before the program began, there was an incident where local Dalit leaders, who have been holding protests at Azad Park, tried to sport black bands in protest against the district administration and local MLA C T Ravi. They were demanding action against an estate owner who is accused of assaulting Dalit farm labourers.

However, police swung into action and prevented the protestors from disrupting the Rajyotsava celebrations. More than 20 Dalit leaders were detained.