Bhatkal: On the occasion of International Democracy Day, a historic human chain was witnessed in Bhatkal city, with heavy rainfall failing to break the chain. High school and college students, along with teachers, lecturers, government employees, and officials from various institutions, extended the chain from Belur in Bhatkal taluk to the borders of Shirur, as per the taluka administration directive. The event also showcased remarkable unity and solidarity between Hindus, Muslims, and other communities. Particularly in Bhatkal, the human chain stretched from Hanifabad Cross, Tengingundi Cross, and Nawayath Colony to Shamshuddin Circle and extended up to Muglihonda.

Despite torrential rains starting at 8 a.m. on the morning of September 15, the students began forming the human chain on National Highway by 9am. The rain continued to intensify, but people, undeterred by the weather, either held umbrellas or stood in the rain to maintain the chain.

The program was inaugurated in Belur by Bhatkal Tahsildar Nagaraj Naikad, Taluk Panchayat Officer Venkatesh Nayak, Social Welfare Department Officer Geetha, Nodal Officer Malappa, and other dignitaries who lit a ceremonial lamp. The human chain extended from Belur, passing through Murdeshwar and Shirali, and entered Bhatkal. While participation in rural areas was limited, the chain grew stronger as it reached the city. By the time it reached Madina Colony and Shamshuddin Circle, the number of participants had increased significantly, so much so that if proper spacing had been maintained, the chain could have extended beyond Shirur to Byndoor in neighbouring Udupi district.

Along with the students, several notable figures participated, including Inayatullah Shahbandri, President of Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem, General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ Nadvi, Municipal Vice President Muhiddin Altaf Kharuri, Jali Patan Panchayat Vice President Advocate Imran Lanka and Municipal Chief Officer Neelkanth Mesta, among others.

District-level event in Honnavar: This year's district-level celebration of International Democracy Day was held in Honnavar, Bhatkal's neighboring taluk, where Bhatkal MLA and Uttara Kannada district in-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp. In his address, he urged the public to unite against anti-democratic forces and safeguard the principles of democracy, promoting values such as freedom, equality, and brotherhood.

The district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Social Welfare Department, Education Department, and other government bodies organized the event, which was inaugurated by the Minister.

Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya, while delivering the introductory speech, informed that a 253-kilometer-long human chain had been formed in Uttara Kannada district from Haliyal to Gorte in Bhatkal Taluk, with over one lakh people participating. She emphasized the importance of embracing peace, equality, and democratic values in everyday life.

Due to his participation in the International Democracy Day event in Honnavar, RV Deshpande, Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Board, was unable to attend the event in Haliyal. Deshpande highlighted that India's democratic system is a global model and stressed the importance of protecting democratic values. He mentioned that this event marks the second year of Karnataka’s grand celebrations of the International Day of Democracy, following last year’s mass reading of the Constitution's preamble, aimed at strengthening democracy. The event concluded with a tree-planting ceremony to emphasize environmental preservation.

Dr. Siddalinga Swamy, Principal of Gokhale College Ankola, delivered a special lecture on democracy.

The human chain in Honnavar included groups dressed in symbolic attire representing Dr. Ambedkar, Onake Obavva, Subhash Chandra Bose, Kittur Rani Chennamma, while little girls dressed as Mother India, with participants from various communities, including Halakki Vokkaligas. School and college students, elected representatives, departmental officials, and members of various organizations were part of the chain.