Vitthal Heroor supporters set one-week deadline for statue installation
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Avvanna Myakeri, member of the Vitthal Heroor Abhimanigala Samiti, addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Members of the Vitthal Heroor Abhimaniagala Samiti have given the district administration a week to install a statue of former MLC Vitthal Heroor at Afzalpur cross near the Kalaburagi Bench of the Karnataka High Court and name a circle after him, failing which they have threatened to stage a protest in the city on October 16.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, samiti members Avvanna Myakeri and Basavaraj Bodihal said the circle had already been named after Heroor in 2015 and was located on the route towards Afzalpur, with which the late leader had a close association.
Mr. Myakeri said the Koli-Kabbaliga and Kuruba communities had maintained cordial relations in the district and expressed concern that the issue over the proposed installation of statues could create unnecessary differences between the two communities. He alleged that some people had installed a statue of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah overnight on September 16, at the spot proposed to be named after Heroor.
Referring to the recent protest by Kuruba community leaders in Kalaburagi, seeking installation of Mr. Siddaramaiah’s statue at the same location, Mr. Myakeri appealed to community leaders to avoid any step that could affect the traditionally harmonious relationship between the two communities. He also requested the Kuruba community leaders and followers of Siddaramaiah to choose an alternative location for the leader’s statue, and expressed the full support and solidarity of the Koli-Kabbaliga community.
He also recalled Heroor’s role in mobilising support among AHINDA communities for Mr. Siddaramaiah in the region and said the former Chief Minister, who has projected himself as an AHINDA leader, should advise members of his community not to oppose the installation of Heroor’s statue.
“The AHINDA communities played an important role in Mr. Siddaramaiah becoming the Chief Minister twice. The community now expects the same spirit of mutual respect in recognising Heroor’s contribution,” he said.
The samiti warned that its members of the Koli-Kabbaliga community would launch a large-scale protest on October 16 if the administration failed to install Heroor’s statue within the stipulated time.
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