Surpur bandh to condemn High Court judge’s remarks on Nayaks, total and peaceful

Surpur bandh by Samoohika Sanghatanegala Okkoota over judge's remarks on Nayak community; peaceful protest with widespread support.

Surpur bandh called on Monday by the Samoohika Sanghatanegala Okkoota condemning the remarks by a sitting judge of the High Court of Karnataka on Surpur and the Nayak community was total and peaceful.

Public and private transportation was suspended and shops and commercial complexes remained closed till 3 p.m., while some of them opened as usual after 4 p.m.

As a precautionary measure, Kalyan Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) suspended bus services to Surpur. In support of the bandh call, APMC traders shut down their businesses voluntarily, while public and businessmen too participated in the bandh voluntarily.

Taking out a protest march, the protesters said that the judge’s remarks while hearing a case in the High Court were in bad taste and against the dignity of the brave soldiers of Surpur who fought the British and Mughals to protect their motherland.

They demanded intervention of the President and Chief Justice of Inda in the matter and take action against the judge. The judge should tender an unconditional apology for his remarks, they demanded.

Superintendent of Police Pruthvik Shankar said that the bandh was peaceful and there was no forcible closure of shops.

The protesters then submitted a memorandum addressed to the President through Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharanabasappa Koteppagol.