Mysuru: Urging for fulfilment of various demands, pro-Kannada activists representing various outfits, including Kannadambe Rakshana Vedike, took out a mammoth protest rally in the city yesterday.

Writer Bannur K. Raju flagged off the rally at the premises of Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple here, that culminated at the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office premises on Bannur Road, after passing via Dodda Gadiyara junction, Ashoka Road, Irwin Road, Nehru Circle and Taluk Office Road.

Addressing the rallyists, Bannur Raju said that Kannada language has reached its present pathetic state due to the generosity of Kannadigas. The politicians irrespective of party have betrayed the language, using the language and the people only for their selfish gains. There is none to raise their voice and speak for the cause of Kannada at Vidhana Soudha, bemoaned Raju.

Those who were justful in their fight for Kannada have been pushed to the streets. But, Dr. Purushotham Bilimale, who was earning salary in lakhs at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, has been made the Chairman of Kannada Development Authority (KDA). Nobody is aware about the movement he has spearheaded for the cause of Kannada and his concern for the language, asserted Raju, blaming Bilimale of working for the welfare of those who honoured him with KDA post.

“Instead of nominating those getting a fat pay to KDA, the pro-Kannada activists should be considered for the post, when it is not possible to nominate the activists as the Member of Legislative Council. The Kannada activists should not remain as a finger, but as a fist, joining forces for the cause of the movement in favour of Kannada,” appealed Bannur Raju.

State President of Kannadambe Rakshana Vedike Rajashekar said, of late, the other language businessmen and traders settled in the city, are deliberately neglecting the language. Though Kannada deserves to be treated as supreme in Karnataka, Kannada language is treated poorly. The rally is being taken out to send a warning to those who have been ignoring Kannada.

The demands include job for Kannadigas in private factories and companies, implementation of 60% usage of Kannada alphabets in the name boards, due priority for Kannada in hoardings and compulsory usage of Kannada in public and private offices.

President of Mysuru Hrudayavanthara Balaga D.P.K. Paramesh, Nanjunda, Mahadeva Swamy, Kiran, Santosh and others were present.