Bantwal: Massive protest march demands removal of Brahmarakootlu toll gate

Mangalore Today News Network

Bantwal, Apr 29, 2026: A massive protest march titled “Janandolana Nadige” was organized by the Brahmarakootlu Toll Gate Removal Struggle Committee under the leadership of former minister B. Ramanath Rai. The march began from Narayana Guru Circle in B.C. Road and proceeded up to the Brahmarakootlu Toll Gate.

Addressing the protesters, former minister B. Ramanath Rai said that the agitation was being carried out demanding the removal of the unnecessary, unscientific, and anti-people Brahmarakootlu Toll Gate, which he alleged was functioning in violation of rules and regulations. He stated that the struggle would continue until a logical solution was achieved.

He further said that several new toll gates were coming up across the district, violating central government norms. “Through this protest, we aim to bring this issue to the attention of Union ministers and local MPs. This is a secular movement intended to warn the central government officials and the BJP government. People must stand with us until the toll gate is removed,” he appealed.

Former minister Abhayachandra Jain said that Munir Katipalla had successfully led the closure of the Surathkal Toll Gate, and similarly, the removal of the Brahmarakootlu Toll Gate was certain.

Munir Katipalla said that the people’s movement march from B.C. Road to Brahmarakootlu reflected the unity of the struggle committee. “Through this, we have sent a strong message to the central government and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The first phase of the protest has been successful,” he said.

Committee convenors Mohan Shetty and B. Shekhar, along with leaders including Chandraprakash Shetty Tumbe, Pius L. Rodrigues, M.S. Mohammed, Suhail Khandak, Baby Kunder, Padmashekhar Jain, Sudip Kumar Shetty, A. Usman Karopady, Ashwini Kumar Rai, Joakim D’Souza, Subhashchandra Shetty Kolnadu, Abbas Ali, Mayilappa Salian, Mamatha Gatti, Ida Suresh, Salet Pinto, Chandrashekhar Bhandary, Balakrishna Anchan, Suresh Poojary, A.B. Abdulla Kolnadu, Farooq Baybe, K.K. Sahul Hameed, Mohammed Ali Puttur, B.M. Bhat, Suresh Kumar Bantwal, A. Ramanna Vitla, K.M. Musaf Sulya, Radhakrishna Bollur, Bharat Mundodi, P.C. Jayaram, Venkappa Gowda, Dinesh Ambekallu, Shafi, Ibrahim Nawaz Badakabailu, Lukkan Bantwal, Sudhakar Shenoy, Maxim D’Souza Kukkaje, Shashidhar Hegde, Prithviraj, Naveen D’Souza, K. Ashraf Mangaluru, Dr. Rajaram, P.S. Gangadhar, Mahesh Bellarakar, Keshava Morangallu, Jayaprakash, Dharmapala, Mohammed Nandavar, Siddique Saravu, Siraj Madaka, Samad Kaikamba, and Yusuf Karandadi were present.

As the protest march reached near the toll gate, an angry group allegedly attempted to enter the toll plaza. At the same time, a verbal altercation broke out between the protesters and toll staff after allegations that one of the toll employees had behaved arrogantly.

Bantwal Town Police Inspector Anantha Padmanabha and his team intervened and brought the situation under control. Due to the incident, tension prevailed on the highway for nearly 20 minutes. KSRP police personnel were also deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.