Bengaluru, Nov 1: In a first since the reorganization of states in 1956, the government will hold limited Rajyotsava celebrations because of the model code of conduct in seven districts for the November 3 Lok Sabha and assembly byelections.
Rajyotsava awards — a major feature of the state formation day in which achievers from many spectrums are feted — will be announced after the first week of November. Only a reception will be hosted in the morning after hoisting the Kannada flag. The poll code forbids the government from hosting state-sponsored events or unveiling welfare schemes.
RAJYOTSAVA AWARDS
CM to hold 2nd meet with selection panel
Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, who’s on poll tour, has been indicating he would increase the pension for senior citizens, announce easy daily loan for street vendors, and hand out monthly financial assistance for pregnant women. All these will have to wait till the second week of November.
Government officials in the know said chief secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar had held a meeting earlier this week with the Rajyotsava awards selection panel and recommended to the CM the government could announce the list of awardees, barring those picked up from the seven districts of Karnataka which come under the poll code.
Kumaraswamy shot down the suggestion, saying it’s an embarrassment to the government and recipients.
The CM is reportedly calling a second round of meeting with the selection panel after the bypoll results are announced on November 6.
Chief electoral officer Sanjiv Kumar said the Election Commission has given permission for Rajyotsava, but speeches made by dignitaries must remain apolitical.
Codava protest in Delhi today
The Codava National Council will stage a peaceful satyagraha on November 1 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, to highlight the Codavas’ quest for autonomous status and to express their opposition to the celebration of Karnataka Rajyotsava Day.
“November 1 is a black day for us as it was on that day that our homeland Coorg became part of Mysore state, now Karnataka, under the States Reorganisation Act 1956. We are being forced to accept this,” said leader of CNC, NU Nachappa Codava.
Around 50 Codava members from different parts of Kodagu district are expected to participate in the satyagraha in their traditional attire.
They will also protest in front of the French embassy to urge the French government to apologise to the Codavas for the massacre of thousands from the community by French colonisers in Devati Parambu in 1785.
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