Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) (Kannada: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ವೇದಿಕೆ), translated as Karnataka Protection Forum, is a pro-Kannada, non-partisan organization located in the state of Karnataka, India. It has more than 5 million members enrolled from around the world spanning to about 12,000 branches across Karnataka in all 30 districts.[1]
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On Nov 11 2005, KRV activists resorted to daubing Belgaum Mayor Vijay More (and later surrendered to the police)[2] in the wake of Belgaum City Corporation (BCC) passing a resolution[3][4] to include the district of Belgaum into Maharashtra, a neighbouring state. The KRV has alleged that this resolution was illegal. Public personalities, including the then Governor of Karnataka, T N Chaturvedi came out openly against BCC for interfering in a matter that is sub-judice and for overstepping its authority. Noted writer Poornachandra Tejaswi expressed his support for this act by rhetorically asking if Mr. More "deserved Fair and Lovely instead of the black paint used."[5] Upon his return to Belgaum, Vijay More was served with several show-cause notices by the Government of Karnataka and later dissolved the council.[6]
Following this incident, in the next year's election, Mrs. Prashanta Budavi, wife of KRV City President Mr. Shantinath Budavi was elected as mayor of the Belgaum City Corporation. The Vedike claims that it is not against the Marathi people, and that its opposition is limited to the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, which it alleges, is run by a "few individuals with vested political and commercial interests."[7]
Within 20 minutes of the release of the Kaveri Tribunal Award, KRV called for a total bandh (civil strike) in Karnataka. According to the Vedike's claims, the aim of the bandh was "to make the Centre and the common man realize that the award was not fair to Karnataka." The bandh - originally scheduled for 8 Feb 2007, ultimately happened on 12 February 2007.[8] It was said to be successful in all the districts of Karnataka.[9][10][11]
On 4 May 2007, about 20,000 activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (coming from all the 29 districts of Karnataka) and other organizations like the Karnataka Raita Sangha protested in New Delhi against the gazetting of the Kaveri Water Disputes Tribunal Award of 2007. The Vedike presented a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, alleging that historical bias by the colonial British administration against the Kingdom of Mysore was responsible for Karnataka being sidelined in favour of other states like Tamil Nadu. [12]
In 2008, KRV activists protested against the proposed Hogenakal water supply project.[13] by attacking cinema halls screening Tamil movies in Bangalore, and pulling down Tamil movie hoardings and banners. They shouted slogans against Tamil Nadu and M. Karunanidhi (the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu).[14]
The KRV also threatened to burn Tamil Nadu buses in the State, to use force to stall screening of Tamil movies in Bangalore city and forced television cable operators to stop airing Tamil channels as a protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's recent statements on the Hognekkal issue.[15][16][17]
Implementation of Dr. Sarojini Mahishi Report in Karnataka, which recommends job reservations for Kannadigas in government departments, public sector units and even in the private sector,[18] has been one of the major demands of Vedike. It continues to protest against the non-implementation of the report.[19][20]
On July 8, 2011 Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members staged a protest[21] at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) premises demanding reservation for Kannadigas as per the official language policy applicable to all union Government organizations.[22][23] Following this, Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairperson Mukhyamantri Chandru also met with HAL officials and insisted on implementing Dr. Sarojini Mahishi report which recommends 100 percent reservation to locals for 'C' and 'D' category posts.[24] HAL's HR executive director cited ignorance of the fact that even Central Government organizations had to conform to the report’s recommendations and assured them of appointing Kannadigas to all of the 677 openings. Besides this, they were also presented facts that 11,262 people of its 15,162 workforce in Bengaluru consisted of Kannadigas.[25]
KRV has vehemently opposed what it calls as the imposition of English in Karnataka.[26] There have been incidents of the Vedike activists blackening English signboards in Karnataka (especially Bangalore)[27] as protest against the non-conformance of commercial establishments with the Govt. of Karnataka rule that all signboards in Karnataka need to have Kannada more prominent than any other language. The Karnataka Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, under Rule 24-A states that the name board of every establishment shall be in Kannada and if any other language is used, it should be below the Kannada version.[28] Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike also issued notices to establishments that do not comply to this rule may have their licenses revoked.[29]
In 2006, KRV held an "Anti Hindi-imposition conference" at Yavanika, Bengalooru, on September 14, which is celebrated as Hindi Divas ("Hindi Day") in Central government institutions of India. The aim of the conference was to discuss plans for countering the imposition of Hindi on Kannadigas and the Central Government's Rajbhasha policy.
The conference was attended by K. Rajkumar, Ashok Doddameti, and chaired by T. A. Narayana Gowda. According to the Vedike, Hindi has been thrust upon all over Karnataka in Banks, post-offices, LIC offices etc., Hindi is being imposed on Kannadigas through the Administrative, Education System, Media and Entertainment, because of which Kannadigas are developing a feeling of inferiority towards their own language and slowly being made to feel that speaking Hindi is a pre-requisite for Indian nationality.
T. A. Narayana Gowda vehemently opposed this in his speech, and declared that this imposed feeling of inferiority is fatal for the future of Kannadigas. The conference passed a resolution to "celebrate" 14 Sept as "Anti Hindi-imposition day" every year. Twenty-five Vedike activists were arrested on this day for ransacking the office of All India Radio for airing Hindi programmes in lieu of the usual Kannada programmes even after requests against the same.[30]
