Congress supports today’s bandh in twin cities

President of Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagar Zilla unit of Women Congress Deepa Gouri addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagar Zilla Congress and Dharwad district rural unit of the party have extended support to the call for Hubballi-Dharwad bandh on Thursday condemning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks against B.R. Ambedkar. The bandh call has been given by Dalit and progressive organisations.

Having taken the decision to support the bandh call, presidents of both the units Altaf Halwoor and Anilkumar Patil held a preliminary meeting of Congress workers and leaders in Hubballi on Wednesday on joining the protest organised by Dalit organisations.

During the meeting, the participants, including various office-bearers, gave suggestions regarding observing a peaceful bandh and making it a success to send a strong message to all those who dare to disgrace the architect of the Constitution Ambedkar.

They suggested making an appeal to all traders to voluntarily participate in the bandh by shutting down their businesses from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Wednesday, president of Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagar Zilla unit of women Congress Deepa Gouri made a fervent appeal to all women to actively participate in Thursday’s protest as it is because of Ambedkar that women are being given more opportunities in various fields.

She said that the Dalits are innocent but at the same time they know whom to side with when it comes to protecting their rights.

She said that the BJP and the Sangh Parivar have always worked against the interests of the Dalits and it is because of Ambedkar that they are able to lead a dignified life. And by his remarks Mr. Amit Shah disgraced Ambedkar who was like a home deity to crores of people in the country, she said.

President of Chalavadi Mahila Sanghatane Chetana Lingadal said that chanting the name of Ambedkar is not a fashion as it was Ambedkar who gave a new life to all Dalits and women in the country.

Office-bearers of other community organisations Manjula, Sarasvathi, Balamma and Nagaratna said that members of various women organisations will make the bandh a success.

Precautionary measures

Meanwhile, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar who chaired a review meeting on bandobast has warned against any attempt to forcibly close shops and commercial establishments.

The organisers will have to protest peacefully and in case of any forcible imposition of bandh, action will be taken, he has warned.

He said that as a precautionary measure, adequate number of police personnel will be deployed at strategic points and in sensitive areas.