Athani District Demand Gains Momentum with Voluntary Shutdown and Rally

MANGALURU: The call for a 'bundh' in Athani, urging the creation of a separate Athani district, garnered significant support on Monday. The Jilla Horta Samithi, along with Kannada outfits and various organizations, had called for the voluntary 'bundh,' resulting in the closure of all shops and a standstill in commercial activities across the town.

Activists held a protest rally, commencing from Siddheshwar Temple and traversing through various streets before concluding at Basaveshwar Circle. Seers and leaders participating in the rally underscored that the demand for the Athani district transcends party differences and enjoys widespread backing from parts of Belagavi and Bagalkot districts. Jilla Horata Samithi Honorary President Shivakumar Savadi handed over a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to the Tahsildar. MLA Laxman Savadi, who attended the rally, assured to collaborate with like-minded MLAs from the region to take up the issue during the Belagavi session and committed to meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to convey the region's need for a separate district. He emphasized the current inconvenience faced by people of the region who must travel approximately 200 km to reach the district headquarters in Belagavi for their work. Savadi highlighted the potential benefits of creating Athani as a separate district, merging parts of Bagalkot district along with adjoining constituencies of Kagwad, Kudachi, Raibag, and Harugeri.

Jilla Horata Samithi President Prashant Todakar expressed optimism about their MLA taking up the issue in the session. "Our MLA has assured us to take up this issue in the session. We will see the response of the government and then decide our future move," he told Deccan Chronicle. He added that people from Terdal and Jamkhandi in Bagalkot district also expressed support for Athani district and wished to be a part of it.