Mysore/Mysuru: “Uppara community played a prominent role in the Salt March to Dandi, a people’s movement against the British rule launched by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle,” said Chamaraja MLA L. Nagendra.

He was speaking at the Bhagiratha Jayanthi function organised jointly by the District Administration, Department of Kannada and Culture and Sri Bhagiratha Jayantyotsava Samiti at  Kalamandira yesterday after offering floral tributes to the portrait of Sri Bhagiratha Maharshi.

“Mahatma Gandhi launched a non-cooperation movement against the British. He manufactured salt at Dandi and distributed it to people thereby urging the Britishers to scrap tax on salt imposed by them. The Uppara community had given its full support to this movement thereby recording its own contribution in freedom struggle. Uppara community is one among the backward communities and for the development of the community all of them should be educated and organised,” he added. He further said that all working class communities should provide education and be united to ensure development of their communities.

MLC C.N. Manjegowda, who spoke on the occasion, urged the Government to set up busts of Sri Bhagiratha at all district centres and also portraits of Sri Bhagiratha at Government Offices and informed that he is going to raise this issue in the State legislature. “Bhagiratha brought water to earth. Men like Basavanna, Gandhiji, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and others worked selflessly for the welfare of the society. Human beings should leave their foot prints before they exit from this world so that the society remembers them for their good deeds. Today, we see hatred all around us and witnessing clashes among castes, religions and political parties. We all need to work with faith and co-operation. Uppara community must organise themselves and show their unity to the Government,” he advised.

D. Jaganath Sagar, retired Additional Commissioner of the Commercial Tax Department,  Bengaluru, delivering the key note address, said that Bhagiratha Prayatna is equated with the ultimate in trying hard to achieve something. “Bhagiratha is a shining example for adventure, guru bhakti and relentless efforts. Anyone who achieves the seemingly impossible thing with their relentless hard-work are credited with doing Bhagiratha Prayatna to achieve their desired goal. He brought river Ganga, who is also a Goddess from the Himalayas to earth and did a great service to the inhabitants,” he added.

Calling for the unity of the Uppara community, he opined that everything is possible if we work with sincerity. “According to the 2015 economic survey, if the economical and educational status of every caste is identified, then programmes can be formulated scientifically and the numbers and reservations can be renewed,” he reckoned and concluded by urging for the unity of the community. District Uppara Association President Yogesh Uppara, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy, Joint Director of Kannada and Culture Department V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy and others were present.