Vatal Nagaraj faces protest in Mangaluru; regrets earlier remarks on DK people

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 14, 2016: Confusion prevailed outside the press meet venue of Kannada activist and politician Vatal Nagaraj in the city on January 14, Thursday when several activists gathered  to protest against his recent comments against people of Dakshina Kannada. The police had to intervene and detain the protestors.

Even at the press meet, a volley of questions was hurled at Vatal Nagaraj over his reported recent statement  that ’people of Dakshina Kannada lacked humanity’ as they did not support the state-wide bundh  over the Kalasa Banduri Project.

Vatal who initially contended  that he never made any such statement had to finally yield to pressure and backtrack and state that he regretted  the comment.

Vatal said "I had told that people of Dakshina Kannada have no compassion. My intention was to ensure welfare of people of the whole state. If it has hurt people of the district I  regret it and take back the words."

Asked as to why he did not back the protests against Yettinahole when he wanted people here to support the Kalasa Banduri agitation,   Vatal said he wants the issue to be settled through talks as t there should not be hatred between two districts. He also stated that he will meet Chief Minister   and request him to solve the impasse through sincere efforts. The people of Kolar and Chikkaballapur need water and their problems should be solved, he added.

 Touching upon the recent order making helmets mandatory for pillion riders too, Vatal said the order lacked clarity and  will create problems as well as quarrel between two-wheeler riders and police.  He said his organisation will be holding a meeting of  two-wheeler riders in Bengaluru on January 16. As a market of protests helmets  will be burnt, he added. He also said he plans to move the Supreme Court after  consultations with his lawyer.