MANGALURU: Billava community members said Karnataka government’s decision to set up Sri Narayana Guru Development Cell is just a political move that will not have any benefits for the community.
At press conference at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple on Sunday, Kalaburagi Brahmasri Narayana Guru Shakti Peeta seer Sri Pranavananda Swami said that a padayatra will be organized from Mangaluru to Bengaluru demanding the government to set up a corporation for the welfare of 26 communities including Billava and Ediga.
It may be recalled that the Karnataka backward classes welfare department on Saturday had issued an order announcing the setting up of Sri Narayana Guru Development Cell for the overall development of 26 castes, including Ediga, who are in the Backward Classes 2A category.
The seer said that former union minister B Janardhana Poojary will flag off the padayatra from Kudroli temple premises on January 6 next year.
“We will invite ministers from the community from Telangana, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The 658kms padayatra via Udupi, Hosanagara, Thirthahalli, Sagara, Shivamogga, Shikaripur, Channagiri, Davanagere, Chitradurga and Tumakuru will reach Bengaluru in 35 days. Thereafter, an indefinite hunger strike will be commenced at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru,” Swami said.
A committee has been formed to organize the padayatra and taluk level meetings will be held soon to unite all communities from the category. He demanded the government to release Rs 500 crore for the setting up of the corporation. Further, he urged that the community should be allowed to continue toddy tapping as a hereditary vocation.
