Bhatkal: A district-wide campaign will be launched to strengthen minorities, backward classes and Scheduled Castes and Tribes (AHINDA) by creating educational, social and political awareness among people across all taluks of Uttara Kannada district, said Dr Nagesh Naik Kagal, President of the United Front of District Public Welfare Organisations.
Addressing a press conference held in the town, Dr Nagesh Naik said that meetings are being organised in all taluks with the objective of strengthening the AHINDA organisation. The initiative aims to politically empower youth while motivating them to adopt constitutional values in their daily lives. He said taluk- and district-level coordination committees will be formed to strengthen social movements and achieve political empowerment, and future programmes will be planned based on the ideals of Brahmashri Narayana Guru. He added that all prominent leaders in Bhatkal have expressed their consent to support the strengthening of the AHINDA organisation.
Dr Nagesh Naik pointed out that Uttara Kannada district is facing several serious issues, including the lack of a multi-specialty hospital, problems related to National Highway works, e-Swathu, and forest land encroachment. He stressed the need to create public awareness and launch agitations to find solutions to these issues.
Replying to questions from journalists, he said that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has already been filed in the Karnataka High Court regarding the delay in completing National Highway works. He termed the highway issue as serious, stating that toll collection is being carried out even though the work remains incomplete. He warned that if the issue is not resolved in the coming days, district-wide protests will be launched. If necessary, PILs will also be filed from coastal taluks of the district concerning the highway works.
Speaking on the occasion, senior leader Rama M. Moger said there is a strong need for an AHINDA organisation in the district and stressed the importance of creating social and political awareness among AHINDA communities. Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem President Inayathullah Shabandari described the formation of the AHINDA organisation as a positive development and said that unity is essential to effectively protest and address district-level issues.
Among those present at the press conference were United Front of District Public Welfare Organisations taluk president and Marukeri Gram Panchayat Vice-President M.D. Naik, Citizens’ Forum president Satishkumar Naik, Ganapati Naik, Venkatayya Bairumane, Sudhakar of Kumta, Shivanand Naik of Sirsi, K. Sulaiman, Sridhar Naik, T.D. Naik, Dinesh Gonda and Venkatesh Naik.