NRSS Stages indefinite hunger strike against Yettinahole Project, Arrested
Mangaluru: The Netravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti began an indefinite hunger strike against the Yettinahole project, in front of the DC office from February 10.
Prior to the hunger strike, all the protesters including religious heads, leaders and students gathered at the Gandhi Park and garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in front of Town hall. Later all the protesters marched in a procession which culminated in front of the DC office.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Charukirthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Moodbidri Jain Math, Esha Vittaldas Swamiji of Kemaru Math, Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Math, Rajashekarananda Swamiji of Vajradehi Math Gurpur, former minister Krishna J Palemar, President of Muslim Central Committee K M Masood, Purushotham Chitrapur, Monappa Bhandary, Dinakar Shetty, Raghuveer Suterpate, Prabhakar, Anil Lono, Yogish Bhat, Kasturi Panja, Rajani Dugganna, Praveen and students from various colleges participated in the procession.
Speaking on the occasion Satyajit Suratkal said, “We have organised various protests to stop the Yettinahole project but the government is adamant to continue the project. So the Netravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti members MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, M G Hegde, Annayya Kulal, Sashiraj Kolambe, myself and Dinakar Shetty will be sitting on an indifinite hunger strike from today. We will fight until we get justice.”
Ganesh Rao welcomed the protesters and said, “Today the government is playing hide and seek even after being aware of the scarcity of water in the district and is adamant in continuing the Yettinahole project. In Mangaluru last year we had faced severe water crisis and the government is doing injustice to the people of the district. The people involved in the project in order to get the commission is continuing the project. We are not getting justice, we have got the capacity to give a befitting reply to the government. We are not against providing water to other districts if there is enough water. We will not stop our agitation until we get justice.”
Purushotham Chitrapur also spoke on the occasion. Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Moodbidri Jain Math blessed the protesters and said, “To Yettinahole project should be dropped because it is unscientific. Our Swamiji has visited the site. If the water will not reach Kolar why is the government spending so much money? First of all, we get very less water in the rainy season. If the river will be diverted there is a danger for fauna and flora and to the Western Ghats. We are not against anyone and we want everyone to get water. People of DK are good hearted and they always think of others. The government should not test our patience, we urge the Chief minister to stop the project. Let the government provide loan through banks for rainwater harvesting. We will also join the indefinite hunger strike in the coming days. The scarcity of water is not just limited to Bantwal and Mangaluru but has affected entire Dakshina Kannada. We will soon start our agitation in Delhi to stop the project.”
Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Math speaking on the occasion said, “The government should take the opinion of the experts and know the pros and cons of the project. The DPR was prepared in 2001, we need to compare both the reports of 2001 with the present report. At present we are not finding more water from the project. The project of taking the water to Kolar is wrong. There are other ways to provide water to the people of Kolar, let the government find a permanent solution to provide water. The Swamijis of DK should join the hunger strike to stop this project. We need support from the people of DK since the MP and other leaders are all set to go on hunger strike. It is the duty of every citizen to fight against the Yettinahole project. The concerned authorities should intervene and stop the project”.
Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji blessed the protesters sitting on the indefinite hunger strike and distributed the Manthrakshe (Thread).
We are not against providing water to Kolar, but at the same time we need to look into the consequences of the project. All the Swamijis will extend their support in this struggle for justice. It is the duty of every citizen to support and protest against the Yettinahole project. People need to be aware of the problems and join hands in this struggle.”
Rajashekarananda Swamiji of Gurpur Vajradehi Math said, “To retain the identity of DK the Yettinahole project should be dropped. The NRSS is urging the government to stop the project and going on hunger strike. What is the government doing if an MP has to go on hunger strike to stop the project? In the month of February, we are facing scarcity of water. From June to August we have water, but from the month of February, we face scarcity of water. Mangaluru is an intellectuals city but the state government is trying to shake the intellectuals by bringing such projects. Experts should study the situation of DK and stop this project. Bantwal has been announced as a drought affected area. We urge the government to drop the Yettinahole project. Already crores of Rupees have reached many pockets. Let the government stop this project, and save the people of DK from the drought.
Esha Vittaldas Swamiji said, “If the Yettinahole project will be continued there will be a problem for the fisheries. The government is acting like Ravana Rajya because the government is not listening to the voice of the MPs or the people’s representatives to stop the project. The government should stop this project and do justice with the people who are sitting on hunger strike.”
A signature campaign was held during the hunger strike. The collected signatures will be sent to the governor to stop the Yettinahole project.
