Preparatory meeting in Mysuru on Dec. 25

Mysuru: Seeking fulfillment of their various demands, which chiefly included ST (Scheduled Tribe) category for Ediga community and establishment of Ediga Development Corporation,  Ediga community members will take out Mangaluru to Bengaluru padayatra from Jan.6.

Announcing this at a press meet here on Thursday, Pranavananda Swamiji of Karadalu Bramhasri Narayana Guru Mutt in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district,  said a preliminary meeting will be held in this regard at M.K. Srinivasappa Hall in Krishamurthypuram, Mysuru, at 4 pm on Dec.25, in which community leaders from all taluks of the district will take part.

Pointing out that the Ediga Sangha has submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the Government, he reiterated that the demands include bringing the community under ST category, establishment of Ediga Development Corporation and permission for toddy tapping, among others.

Highlighting the salient features of the padayatra, Pranavananda Swamiji said he will lead the march that commences at Mangaluru on Jan. 6.

Noting that the yatra will be launched from Mangaluru’s famed Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara  temple, he said that Seers of 25 Mutts belonging to Backward Classes will be present during the launch.

“The padayatra, after covering a distance of 658 kms, will reach Bengaluru on Feb.14, where a rally will be held at Freedom Park to press for fulfillment of demands. Ediga community has a 70 lakh population in the State and the Government should  seriously consider the demands of the community. The community population in Mysuru district is around 40,000. The Government should announce a Rs.500 crore grant for the Corporation upon its establishment. The Government should also allow toddy tapping in the State, when there is no such ban in the rest of the Southern States”, he said adding that the community must be given more political representation according to its population. The Seer also wanted the Government to install a statue of Bramhasri Narayana Guru at Bengaluru. Community leaders Raniprabha, K.S. Murali, Muralidharan, T.Narayan and Thammannagowda were present at the press meet.