Failure to handle Panchamasali stir could cost Cong in long run

THE failure to handle the Panchamasali Lingayat community's stir demanding the 2A tag, that resulted in violence, including stone throwing and police lathicharge on protesters in Belagavi, is likely to have its own ramifications on the ruling Congress government, as part of North Karnataka is engulfed in protests.

- DEVARAJ B HIREHALLI @Bengaluru

Rubbing salt on the wound, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday stated that the community seeking the 2A tag is "unconstitutional", while Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara defended the "mild lathicharge", as the protesters had taken the law into their hands.

But Panchamasali Lingayat religious head Sri Jayamruthyunjaya Swami, who had led the protest, hit back at Parameshwara, saying he had not violated the law. "We felt that Parameshwara, a devotee of Siddaganga Mutt (near Tumakuru) was pro-Lingayat, which was why he won the Koratagere seat with the backing of the community. But Lingayats will now repent and teach him a lesson," he said.