Mangaluru: Slamming the Central Government’s move to hand the Mangaluru International Airport over to the Adani Group, District Youth Congress president Mithun Rai said that a torchlight protest rally will be held on November 18 in protest of this decision.
Speaking to the media at the DK Congress Committee Office hall recently, Mithun Rai informed that the protest rally is being held by the District Youth Congress, along with Mulky-Moodbidiri Block Congress.
The rally will be carried out from the Circuit House to the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA). “We will raise our voice against the privatisation of the MIA and its being handed over to the Adani Group. We are doing this as the public is fuming about the decision taken by the Central government to privatise the airport,” he said.
He also informed that there other protests, including hunger strikes, and press meets will be held to raise their voice against the Government’s decision, not as a publicity stunt, but as a means to retain the airport with “our culture and local identity”.
Our protest shall continue.
Our fight for justice for the people of Tulunadu shall not stop.
Tulunadu is known for its immense contribution to the country in many fields. We shall not let this go in vain.
We demand the airport to be named after #KotiChennaya #adaniairport pic.twitter.com/P0FJKJLqMm
— Mithun Rai (@TheMithunRai) November 13, 2020
Pointing out to the replacing of the Pili Vesha art inside the airport lounge with the logo of the Adani Group, Rai said, “It is sad to note that the ‘Tiger Dance’ art inside the airport lounge area, which signifies the culture of Tulunadu, has now been replaced with Adani logo. The Congress party demands that the’ Tiger Dance’ art be put back in its original place within 24 hours. Let them put the Adani logo elsewhere.”
Is this a joke on the sentiments of the Tuluvas ? @gautam_adani You come & acquire our place, try to root out our tradition & culture?
Where is the MP @nalinkateel ?
Being an elected representative from D.K , you have insulted and played with the emotions of our people ! pic.twitter.com/fMZ57zkys9— Mithun Rai (@TheMithunRai) November 17, 2020
He further said that by privatising the airport and adding the Adani Airport/Group to the existing name, the culture, tradition, and history of the coastal town is being lost. “We condemn the government because of this,” he added.
“The Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Gujarat airports have already been privatised without a change in the name. Why was MIA renamed? It is sad to note that our MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has turned a blind eye towards the issue and has not taken any action. While the Congress has a history of nationalising, the BJP is now known for privatising. Even though the Congress is taking up this fight at the initial stage through protests, we will join hands with like-minded organisations to fight for justice. We may even go on an indefinite hunger strike till justice is served,” he warned.
Rai then demanded that the airport be renamed after Koti-Chennaya, the twins from Tuluva legends.
District Congress president Harish Kumar, former minister Ramanath Rai, MLA’s J R Lobo, Moideen Bava and others will take part in the rally, he added.
