Bhatkal: The removal of Savarkar's nameplate, flagpole, and saffron flag at Tenginagundi port in Heble by the panchayat authorities sparked a protest on Tuesday, organized by the BJP and right-wing organizations. Demonstrators sought to emphasize the situation, drawing parallels with the Mandya flag removal incident in Bhatkal.

Bhatkal BJP mandal president Subraya Devadiga, BJP Election Coordinator for Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha Constituency Govind Naik, Bhaskar Daimane, Srinivas Naik, Murthi Bhat, Kumar Naik, and others arrived at the premises of Heble Gram Panchayat office on Tuesday morning to condemn the actions of the Heble panchayat development officer (PDO).

Addressing the gathering, Bhatkal BJP Mandal President Subraya Devdiga stated that the removal of the Veer Savarkar flag stand and saffron flag at Tenginagundi Port was inappropriate. According to Devadiga, during the panchayat General body meeting, all members had unanimously agreed to keep the Veer Savarkar nameplate as it is.

Devadiga alleged that there are many unauthorized nameplates in the Heble panchayat area, and a decision was made in the panchayat meeting to remove all illegal ones. However, the PDO cleared the flag fence, including the flagpole and nameplate, in the Tengingundi port area.

The protestors continued their sit-in at the Heble panchayat premises from Tuesday morning until afternoon, insisting they would not move until the unauthorized nameplates and banners were removed from the rest of the Heble panchayat area.

High drama unfolded in Tengingundi on Tuesday evening as BJP and Sangh Parivar activists gathered at the port to rebuild the flagpole. Upon receiving information about this, Tahsildar Thippeswamy rushed to the spot with DySP Srikant and other police officials, requesting protesters not to create confusion.

Ignoring the authorities' request, protesters reconstructed the flagpole despite a heavy police presence. They warned authorities that the flagpole should not be removed under any circumstances. The protestors reiterated their demand that if the flag fence were to be taken down, all unauthorized signs should also be removed.

The protest concluded, and the participants dispersed after the taluka administration also urged protesters to uphold the status quo. Heble Gram Panchayat President Parvathi Naik, member Vijet Shetty, Chandru Gonda, and others were also present on this occasion.