Bangalore, Aug 8 (Inditop.com) Hundreds of pro-Kannada activists have been detained in and around Bangalore after their plan to protest the unveiling of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar here Sunday.
Former legislator and Kannada Chaluvaligaru (Kannada protagonists) leader Vatal Nagaraj was arrested Saturday while late Friday Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karnataka protection forum) president T.A. Narayana Gowda was picked up along with hundreds of his supporters, police said.
A Bangalore city police spokesperson said around 400 pro-Kannada activists have been detained and more may be held to ensure the unveiling ceremony is smooth.
These two and several other pro-Kannada outfits are opposed to the unveiling of the statue of the author of Tamil masterpiece “Thirukkural” on the ground that Tamil Nadu has been unfair to Karnataka over sharing of Cauvery waters, among other issues.
The statue, installed 18 years back near Halasur Lake in Bangalore central business district, will be uncovered by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in the presence of his Karnataka counterpart B.S. Yeddyurappa.
Karunanidhi has been holidaying in Bangalore.
Tamil Nadu is reciprocating the gesture by unveiling the statue of Kannada poet Sarvajna in Chennai Aug 13.
Thiruvalluvar, believed to be born 30 years before Jesus Christ, wrote “Thirukkural” in the form of couplets (two line poems) expounding various aspects of life.
Sarvajna, believed to belong to the 18th century, is known for his “Tripadis” (three-line poems) on life, religion, beliefs and problems of daily living.
Besides decades-old Cauvery waters dispute, pro-Kannada activists are also agitated over Tamil Nadu’s Hogennakal drinking water project intended to supply drinking water to two its districts. Hogennakal waterfalls is on the border of Karnataka.
The Karnataka government is also opposed to the project and has sought central government’s intervention to protect the state’s interests.
